*Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
The conservative Danish People's Party and leftist Social Liberals in Denmark are calling for increased checks on Americans wishing to travel to Denmark, including the introduction of visa requirements and pre-travel disclosures. "We have had to admit that the Americans have not been as effective in their anti-terrorism efforts as we thought and that the threat against Denmark has grown," says Danish People's Party Justice Spokesman Peter Skaarup. According to Visit Denmark almost 500,000 Americans visit the country each year. One of those who twice this year availed himself of easy entry into the country was a man recently arrested in Chicago on charges of conspiracy to carry out an attack on the Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
The conservative Danish People's Party and leftist Social Liberals in Denmark are calling for increased checks on Americans wishing to travel to Denmark, including the introduction of visa requirements and pre-travel disclosures.
"We have had to admit that the Americans have not been as effective in their anti-terrorism efforts as we thought and that the threat against Denmark has grown," says Danish People's Party Justice Spokesman Peter Skaarup.
According to Visit Denmark almost 500,000 Americans visit the country each year. One of those who twice this year availed himself of easy entry into the country was a man recently arrested in Chicago on charges of conspiracy to carry out an attack on the Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
I didn't want to go there anyway. Their smorgasbords are lame, they can't make lefse worth a damn, and they are so cheap their sandwiches come with only one slice of bread.
Plus Danish is impenetrable, even to Danes:
:-)
(Gotta laugh or scream.)
- Jake If you only spend 20 minutes of the rest of your life on economics, go spend them here.
Jyllands-Posten newspaper
published the Mohammed cartoons four years ago.
Washington, Nov 17 (CTK) - East Europeans should stop behave like small children, start to deal with their own problems by themselves and not to go to the United States complaining about Russian aggressiveness, for instance, Zbigniew Brzezinski said in in interview for the public Czech Television (CT) Tuesday.
"To put it in a terminology that harkens back to a more brutal age of ancient empires," he writes, "the three grand imperatives of imperial geostrategy are to prevent collusion and maintain security dependence among the vassals, to keep tributaries pliant and protected, and to keep the barbarians from coming together."
In the above, I more see the new Obama-era line of Lighter Empire (also see discussion in nanne's Power Void in Europe): vassals shouldn't expect much from the USA but should grow up, and help out doing America's White Man's Burdentake responsibility in solving Global Problems.
It would be nice if such talk would put off the political elites in my region to wake up from the 'Euroatlanticism' dream well nurtured by the diplomats of the Bush I, Clinton and Bush II admins, but my hopes aren't high. But a result might be, as maracatu suggests, more clearly partisan ties in the US. *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
"Without ifs, ands or buts: we want a strategic partnership with Russia," Westerwelle said at his meeting with Lavrov. "We want more than just a trade and economic relationship," he said. "From justice to culture we want to work together and build a deeper friendship between our two peoples." Westerwelle had earlier attended the inauguration ceremony of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul. After the meeting with Lavrov, Westerwelle met with Medvedev to discuss matters such as nuclear disarmament, the situation with Iran and the war in Afghanistan.
"Without ifs, ands or buts: we want a strategic partnership with Russia," Westerwelle said at his meeting with Lavrov.
"We want more than just a trade and economic relationship," he said. "From justice to culture we want to work together and build a deeper friendship between our two peoples."
Westerwelle had earlier attended the inauguration ceremony of Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul.
After the meeting with Lavrov, Westerwelle met with Medvedev to discuss matters such as nuclear disarmament, the situation with Iran and the war in Afghanistan.
The Czech Senate on Thursday banned an appearance by the controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders on its premises. Mr Wilders was going to screen his anti-Islamic film, Fitna, and address a conference held by Czech anti-Islamists and Euro-sceptics.
The move follows protests from scientists that there had been no mention of the topic in a previous consultation document published earlier. Some said the topic, to be introduced in science lessons, was necessary to combat growing attempts to bring creationism into the curriculum. Announcing the move, Schools minister, Vernon Coaker, said: "Lots of teachers came forward and said it should be part of the compulsory programme of study."Under the proposals, children would start to learn about Darwin's theory on the origins of species during their later years in primary school. The new change would be brought in from September 2011.
The move follows protests from scientists that there had been no mention of the topic in a previous consultation document published earlier. Some said the topic, to be introduced in science lessons, was necessary to combat growing attempts to bring creationism into the curriculum.
Announcing the move, Schools minister, Vernon Coaker, said: "Lots of teachers came forward and said it should be part of the compulsory programme of study."
Under the proposals, children would start to learn about Darwin's theory on the origins of species during their later years in primary school. The new change would be brought in from September 2011.
(What!? It is not elementary school curriculum now?) *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Internet users who illegally download films and music will run the risk of being cut off from the web under new laws published by the Government today. Others who abuse copyright laws could also have their internet connection slowed down as part of an attempt by Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, to fight back against online piracy, which costs the creative industries billions each year. Under the powers set out in the Digital Economy Bill, finally published yesterday, internet service providers (ISPs) will be obliged to send letters to those suspected of online piracy. The owners of illegally downloaded material will also be entitled to the name and address of serial offenders, allowing them to take legal action against them.
Internet users who illegally download films and music will run the risk of being cut off from the web under new laws published by the Government today.
Others who abuse copyright laws could also have their internet connection slowed down as part of an attempt by Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, to fight back against online piracy, which costs the creative industries billions each year.
Under the powers set out in the Digital Economy Bill, finally published yesterday, internet service providers (ISPs) will be obliged to send letters to those suspected of online piracy. The owners of illegally downloaded material will also be entitled to the name and address of serial offenders, allowing them to take legal action against them.
AFP - French prosecutors said Friday they would appeal a court ruling that cleared a Total subsidiary and its former boss of responsibility for a chemical plant blast that killed 31 people. "It is an absolute duty with regard to the deceased people and all the victims," said prosecutor Michel Valet, who announced the appeal after victims of the 2001 blast denounced Thursday's ruling. The court in the southwestern town of Toulouse said there was not enough evidence to prove that negligence by the Total subsidiary Grande Paroisse had caused the blast. The explosion erupted in a storage warehouse packed with 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the AZF chemical fertiliser plant near Toulouse owned by Grande Paroisse. The blast, which also injured 2,000 people and devastated 30,000 homes, came just days after the September 11 attacks in New York and initially sparked fears that it was a terrorist attack.
AFP - French prosecutors said Friday they would appeal a court ruling that cleared a Total subsidiary and its former boss of responsibility for a chemical plant blast that killed 31 people.
"It is an absolute duty with regard to the deceased people and all the victims," said prosecutor Michel Valet, who announced the appeal after victims of the 2001 blast denounced Thursday's ruling.
The court in the southwestern town of Toulouse said there was not enough evidence to prove that negligence by the Total subsidiary Grande Paroisse had caused the blast.
The explosion erupted in a storage warehouse packed with 300 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the AZF chemical fertiliser plant near Toulouse owned by Grande Paroisse.
The blast, which also injured 2,000 people and devastated 30,000 homes, came just days after the September 11 attacks in New York and initially sparked fears that it was a terrorist attack.
The appointment as a little-known peer to become Europe's first "foreign minister" stunned and dismayed many in Westminster today, prompting a barrage of briefing against Britain's most senior female politician. Gordon Brown looks likely to draw little credit from his Labour colleagues for installing Baroness Ashton of Upholland, the EU trade commissioner who has never held elected office, into the post of High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security. "To think that we wanted Blair and we ended up with Cathy Ashton. It's such an indictment of Gordon," said one member of the government hours after the appointment was announced. Lady Ashton emerged from the pack after European Socialist leaders confirmed their veto of Tony Blair but said that Britain could have the second job instead. As part of the horse trading Herman Van Rumpoy, the centre right's choice to be president, was given a virtual clear run once leaders sat down for dinner last night.
The appointment as a little-known peer to become Europe's first "foreign minister" stunned and dismayed many in Westminster today, prompting a barrage of briefing against Britain's most senior female politician.
Gordon Brown looks likely to draw little credit from his Labour colleagues for installing Baroness Ashton of Upholland, the EU trade commissioner who has never held elected office, into the post of High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security.
"To think that we wanted Blair and we ended up with Cathy Ashton. It's such an indictment of Gordon," said one member of the government hours after the appointment was announced.
Lady Ashton emerged from the pack after European Socialist leaders confirmed their veto of Tony Blair but said that Britain could have the second job instead. As part of the horse trading Herman Van Rumpoy, the centre right's choice to be president, was given a virtual clear run once leaders sat down for dinner last night.
She added: "I hope that my particular set of skills will show that in the end I am the best choice." ... ... Of course there are foreign ministers I haven't met but... I have worked alongside ministers from across the world," she said. "It's not about gathering power, it's about saying as a team we are much more powerful and I will represent that team."
...
... Of course there are foreign ministers I haven't met but... I have worked alongside ministers from across the world," she said.
"It's not about gathering power, it's about saying as a team we are much more powerful and I will represent that team."
There's also an 8-minute radio segment from the Today programme. En un viejo país ineficiente, algo así como España entre dos guerras civiles, poseer una casa y poca hacienda y memoria ninguna. -- Gil de Biedma
The Danish People's Party is calling for extra checks on ethnic non-Western Americans wishing to travel to Denmark.The Danish People's and Social Liberal parties in Denmark are calling for increased checks on Americans wishing to travel to Denmark, including the introduction of visa requirements and pre-travel disclosures. "We have had to admit that the Americans have not been as effective in their anti-terrorism efforts as we thought and that the threat against Denmark has grown," says Danish People's Party Justice Spokesman Peter Skaarup. According to Visit Denmark almost 500,000 Americans visit the country each year. One of those who twice this year availed himself of easy entry into the country was a man recently arrested in Chicago on charges of conspiracy to carry out an attack on the Jyllands-Posten newspaper.
The Danish People's and Social Liberal parties in Denmark are calling for increased checks on Americans wishing to travel to Denmark, including the introduction of visa requirements and pre-travel disclosures.
A Polish court has ruled that the current inhabitants of a house in the north of the country must leave so that it can be reclaimed by the ethnic German woman who owned it before leaving the country in the 1970s. The unprecedented verdict read out by a regional court judge on Thursday means that the two families now living in the house, in the village of Narty, must be evicted. The order upholds a 2005 ruling that returned the house to the former owner. Owner Agnes Trawny left the country for Germany in 1977. Her house, like all the property of more than 100,000 ethnic Germans who emigrated to Germany, was confiscated by the then-communist regime. The Moskalik and Glowacki families moved into the house as tenants of the local council, but the property's ownership was never settled by the state. Until now, Polish courts routinely dismissed requests for property restitution.
The unprecedented verdict read out by a regional court judge on Thursday means that the two families now living in the house, in the village of Narty, must be evicted. The order upholds a 2005 ruling that returned the house to the former owner.
Owner Agnes Trawny left the country for Germany in 1977. Her house, like all the property of more than 100,000 ethnic Germans who emigrated to Germany, was confiscated by the then-communist regime.
The Moskalik and Glowacki families moved into the house as tenants of the local council, but the property's ownership was never settled by the state. Until now, Polish courts routinely dismissed requests for property restitution.
The new German justice minister says Berlin is not comfortable with an EU measure that would grant US authorities access to European banking data. Now it seems likely that the Germans may scupper the deal, which is supposed to be pushed through at an EU meeting in Brussels at the end of November. The agreement was supposed to be laced up before others got involved in the tricky debate about data protection and individual rights. Now, though, it looks like European Union plans to push through an anti-terror agreement with Washington may not go ahead, thanks in part to the new German government. The Berlin coalition, which pairs Angela Merkel's conservatives with the Free Democrats (FDP), voted into power at the end of September, likely won't rubber stamp a proposal that would give the US wide ranging access to EU bank accounts in the course of terrorism investigations. The measure, proposed by Sweden as current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, was to have passed by Dec. 1. It foresaw allowing US investigators access to European bank accounts -- particularly international transactions -- as part of terror enquiries. Germany is not the only country to have doubts. France, Austria and Finland have also expressed reservations, particularly regarding to the speed with which the new measure was being pushed through. Dec. 1 is the date when the new Lisbon Treaty goes into effect. The reform agreement grants the European Parliament new powers of control over decisions such as the one under consideration -- and that means lengthy debate.
The new German justice minister says Berlin is not comfortable with an EU measure that would grant US authorities access to European banking data. Now it seems likely that the Germans may scupper the deal, which is supposed to be pushed through at an EU meeting in Brussels at the end of November.
The agreement was supposed to be laced up before others got involved in the tricky debate about data protection and individual rights. Now, though, it looks like European Union plans to push through an anti-terror agreement with Washington may not go ahead, thanks in part to the new German government.
The Berlin coalition, which pairs Angela Merkel's conservatives with the Free Democrats (FDP), voted into power at the end of September, likely won't rubber stamp a proposal that would give the US wide ranging access to EU bank accounts in the course of terrorism investigations. The measure, proposed by Sweden as current holder of the EU's rotating presidency, was to have passed by Dec. 1. It foresaw allowing US investigators access to European bank accounts -- particularly international transactions -- as part of terror enquiries.
Germany is not the only country to have doubts. France, Austria and Finland have also expressed reservations, particularly regarding to the speed with which the new measure was being pushed through. Dec. 1 is the date when the new Lisbon Treaty goes into effect. The reform agreement grants the European Parliament new powers of control over decisions such as the one under consideration -- and that means lengthy debate.
Am 6. November hatte sich der Europaminister im französischen Radiosender Europe 1 noch anders geäußert. Auf die Frage, ob ein deutsch-französischer Minister geschaffen werden solle, antwortete er: ,,Das sind Ideen, die von Angela Merkel und Nicolas Sarkozy geprüft werden", sagte er. ,,Wir arbeiten an einer Reihe von Ideen, die wir den Staats- und Regierungschefs vorschlagen. Im Januar werden sie eine Reihe von Initiativen ankündigen", fügte Lellouche seinerzeit an.
On 6 November the Minister for Europe had commented on the French radio station Europe 1 quite differently. Replying to the question whether a German-French minister should be created, he said: "These are ideas that will be examined by said Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy. We are working on a number of ideas that we will propose to the Heads of State and Government. In January, they will be announcing a number of initiatives, "Lellouche said at the time.
Offensichtlich kommen die Verhandlungen mit Berlin nicht voran. Um einen gemeinsamen deutsch-französischen Minister zu berufen, müssten zunächst ,,verfassungsrechtliche Fragen" geklärt werden, sagte Lellouche jetzt im Deutschlandfunk. ,,Kann in einem Organ der Exekutive jemand Mitglied sein, der nicht über die Staatsbürgerschaft verfügt?", fragte Lellouche.
Das entspricht den staatsrechtlichen Bedenken, die in Berlin geäußert worden waren. Lellouche trifft noch im Dezember mit dem deutschen Europastaatssekretär Werner Hoyer (FDP) zusammen, um weitere mögliche deutsch-französische Initiativen zu besprechen.
Apparently Franco-German negotiations are not making much. To create a joint German-French minister all "constitutional questions" need to be resolved, "said Lellouche radio now in Germany. "Can someone be a member of an organ of the executive branch, and do not have the citizenship?" Lellouche said.
This corresponds to the constitutional concerns that had been raised in Berlin. Lellouche is going to meete in December with the German State Secretary for Europe Werner Hoyer (FDP) to discuss further possible Franco-German initiatives.
I seem to remember reading about it before, not sure what to think about it (i could think of MANY arguments) - what I do find interesting though is, that these practical steps are being thought about and it shows the political will to do something different - something that goes to the heart of government - reducing barriers between governments etc. It would be quite a new level of inter governmental co-operation.
