Defense Minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg has been strongly criticized for sacking General Henning Hars. The general was put into "temporary retirement" after he questioned the dismissal of a fellow officer. German Defense Minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg has been sharply criticized for sacking a general who wrote him a letter asking for the reason why Military Inspector General Wolfgang Schneiderhan was sacked in last year. "It looks like the heads of disagreeable oddballs are rolling just because they have a different opinion than the minister," Green party speaker Omid Nouripour told the daily Mitteldeutsche Zeitung. Unanswered questions Following Schneiderhan's dismissal in November 2009, Brigadier General Henning Hars, a former military attache to Washington, wrote a letter to the defense minister asking why the high-ranking officer had been dismissed. Hars also asked Guttenberg for his assessment of the controversial Kunduz air raid, which killed a large number of civilians in northern Afghanistan last September. Hars did not receive a response to his letter.
German Defense Minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg has been sharply criticized for sacking a general who wrote him a letter asking for the reason why Military Inspector General Wolfgang Schneiderhan was sacked in last year.
"It looks like the heads of disagreeable oddballs are rolling just because they have a different opinion than the minister," Green party speaker Omid Nouripour told the daily Mitteldeutsche Zeitung.
Unanswered questions
Following Schneiderhan's dismissal in November 2009, Brigadier General Henning Hars, a former military attache to Washington, wrote a letter to the defense minister asking why the high-ranking officer had been dismissed. Hars also asked Guttenberg for his assessment of the controversial Kunduz air raid, which killed a large number of civilians in northern Afghanistan last September. Hars did not receive a response to his letter.
The Vatican has dismissed attempts to link Pope Benedict XVI to a raft of child sex abuse revelations in Germany, denying accusations that he had once tried to cover up the actions of pedophile priests. In a reaction to the widening pedophile scandal in Germany, the Vatican has rallied around the pontiff, claiming that "certain elements" had launched a targeted campaign to discredit the Catholic Church. "It is clearly evident that in the past few days there have been some in Regensburg and Munich who, with a certain dogged determination, have sought details to personally implicate the Holy Father in the abuse issues," said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi. "To any observer it is clear that these attempts have failed," he added.The pope's former diocese in Bavaria on Friday said he was involved in a decision in 1980 to move a priest who was suspected of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy. Instead of undergoing therapy, the priest was assigned to a Munich parish without restrictions. Six years later, the priest was given a suspended jail sentence for child sex offenses during that period.
In a reaction to the widening pedophile scandal in Germany, the Vatican has rallied around the pontiff, claiming that "certain elements" had launched a targeted campaign to discredit the Catholic Church.
"It is clearly evident that in the past few days there have been some in Regensburg and Munich who, with a certain dogged determination, have sought details to personally implicate the Holy Father in the abuse issues," said Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi.
"To any observer it is clear that these attempts have failed," he added.
The pope's former diocese in Bavaria on Friday said he was involved in a decision in 1980 to move a priest who was suspected of sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy.
Instead of undergoing therapy, the priest was assigned to a Munich parish without restrictions. Six years later, the priest was given a suspended jail sentence for child sex offenses during that period.
ROME -- As new details emerged on allegations of child sexual abuse by priests in the Munich archdiocese then led by Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican spoke out on Saturday to protect the pope against what it called an aggressive campaign against him in his native Germany. At the same time, a high-ranking Vatican official overseeing internal investigations on Saturday acknowledged that 3,000 cases of suspected abuse of minors had come to its attention in the past decade, of which 20 percent had been brought to trial in Vatican courts. In a note read on Vatican Radio on Saturday, the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said it was "evident that in recent days there are those who have tried, with a certain aggressive tenacity, in Regensburg and in Munich, to find elements to involve the Holy Father personally in issues of abuse." He added, "It is clear that those efforts have failed." In Germany, a man who said he was sexually abused by a priest there in 1979 said Saturday that church officials had told him then that the priest would not be allowed to work with children again. Instead, the priest was allowed, under Benedict's watch, to resume full duties almost immediately, where he went on to abuse more children.
ROME -- As new details emerged on allegations of child sexual abuse by priests in the Munich archdiocese then led by Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican spoke out on Saturday to protect the pope against what it called an aggressive campaign against him in his native Germany.
At the same time, a high-ranking Vatican official overseeing internal investigations on Saturday acknowledged that 3,000 cases of suspected abuse of minors had come to its attention in the past decade, of which 20 percent had been brought to trial in Vatican courts.
In a note read on Vatican Radio on Saturday, the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said it was "evident that in recent days there are those who have tried, with a certain aggressive tenacity, in Regensburg and in Munich, to find elements to involve the Holy Father personally in issues of abuse." He added, "It is clear that those efforts have failed."
In Germany, a man who said he was sexually abused by a priest there in 1979 said Saturday that church officials had told him then that the priest would not be allowed to work with children again. Instead, the priest was allowed, under Benedict's watch, to resume full duties almost immediately, where he went on to abuse more children.
Tens of thousands of Italians have been taking part in a protest in Rome's main square against the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.The demonstrators, called out by the opposition and unions, accused him of changing laws for his own benefit. The protest organisers also called for employment, education and health to be at the centre of campaigning for this month's regional elections. A recent opinion poll showed only low levels of support for Mr Berlusconi. His People of Freedom party has seen its preparations for the regional elections on 28 and 29 March marred by problems over electoral lists
Tens of thousands of Italians have been taking part in a protest in Rome's main square against the government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The demonstrators, called out by the opposition and unions, accused him of changing laws for his own benefit.
The protest organisers also called for employment, education and health to be at the centre of campaigning for this month's regional elections.
A recent opinion poll showed only low levels of support for Mr Berlusconi.
His People of Freedom party has seen its preparations for the regional elections on 28 and 29 March marred by problems over electoral lists
There is fury among opposition parties in Italy, after the government issued a decree to smooth over a blunder that is threatening to leave the Prime Minister's party with no election candidates in key areas. Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom party was excluded from this month's regional ballot in Lazio -- which includes Rome -- after missing the deadline for registering candidates. The government then decreed its list would be re-instated
There is fury among opposition parties in Italy, after the government issued a decree to smooth over a blunder that is threatening to leave the Prime Minister's party with no election candidates in key areas.
Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom party was excluded from this month's regional ballot in Lazio -- which includes Rome -- after missing the deadline for registering candidates.
The government then decreed its list would be re-instated
There is 'enough consensus' within the European Union to implement unilateral sanctions against Iran for its nuclear program, even if the United Nations Security Council fails to agree on a resolution. Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU remained committed to seeking a UN resolution on sanctions against Iran, but lacking that, the 27-nation block would take action on its own. He was speaking after an informal meeting with EU Foreign Policy Director Catherine Ashton and seven other European foreign ministers in Finland on Saturday. "If we have succeeded in driving a common line one particular issue, I would pinpoint Iran," he said. Germany, Britain and France have previously stated that they agree on the need for a fourth round of sanctions to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions, but in the past some smaller EU members have expressed reservations. The details of any such sanctions package would therefore still have to be finalized.
Finnish Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said the EU remained committed to seeking a UN resolution on sanctions against Iran, but lacking that, the 27-nation block would take action on its own.
He was speaking after an informal meeting with EU Foreign Policy Director Catherine Ashton and seven other European foreign ministers in Finland on Saturday.
"If we have succeeded in driving a common line one particular issue, I would pinpoint Iran," he said.
Germany, Britain and France have previously stated that they agree on the need for a fourth round of sanctions to restrict Iran's nuclear ambitions, but in the past some smaller EU members have expressed reservations. The details of any such sanctions package would therefore still have to be finalized.
Socialists tipped to replace centre-right as France's most popular party in regional mid-term electionsPresident Nicolas Sarkozy faces a severe drubbing in midterm regional elections tomorrow which will - temporarily at least - scramble the arithmetic of French politics. According to the final opinion polls, the much-divided and quarrelsome main opposition party, the Socialists, will replace Mr Sarkozy's centre-right as the most popular single political force in France. In alliance with a booming Green movement, the centre-left seems certain to win 20 of the 22 French regions in the second round of the elections next weekend. There is even a chance that the moderate left and Greens could sweep the board in what will be the final nationwide poll before the presidential elections of 2012. In the European elections last June, Mr Sarkozy's party, the Union Pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP), topped the poll, despite his already low approval ratings. Even with its centrist allies, the UMP is predicted to score only around 27 per cent of the nationwide vote on Sunday compared to almost 30 per cent for the Socialists.
President Nicolas Sarkozy faces a severe drubbing in midterm regional elections tomorrow which will - temporarily at least - scramble the arithmetic of French politics.
According to the final opinion polls, the much-divided and quarrelsome main opposition party, the Socialists, will replace Mr Sarkozy's centre-right as the most popular single political force in France. In alliance with a booming Green movement, the centre-left seems certain to win 20 of the 22 French regions in the second round of the elections next weekend.
There is even a chance that the moderate left and Greens could sweep the board in what will be the final nationwide poll before the presidential elections of 2012. In the European elections last June, Mr Sarkozy's party, the Union Pour un Mouvement Populaire (UMP), topped the poll, despite his already low approval ratings. Even with its centrist allies, the UMP is predicted to score only around 27 per cent of the nationwide vote on Sunday compared to almost 30 per cent for the Socialists.
He's unpopular, he's isolated and he has made enemies within his own party. President Nicolas Sarkozy is having trouble finding any success. Regional elections across the country threaten to turn into a debacle for the French leader's conservative UMP party. The presidential trips to the far flung corners of his nation are part of Nicolas Sarkozy's plan: Whether it be industry, arts, culture or science, the French leader likes to find the appropriate backdrop to announce reforms, new programs and plans of action. Last Sunday, he announced new subsidies for farmers inside a stable at an agricultural fair. Employment and job training were themes introduced in the district of Doubs in eastern France. The presidential appearance at the round table was supposed to symbolize Sarkozy's close connection with the French people. "I am happy to be here," Sarkozy said, praising the region of Franche-Comté (which includes the district of Doubs) as "the most important industrial region of France." But even though the president's visit was carefully staged and took place in front of a well-mannered, welcoming crowd, the lightning visit to the city of Pontarlier, in Doubs, didn't exactly come across as an exercise in statesmanship. Instead of being perceived as victorious, Sarkozy appeared to be both overly sensitive and aggressive.
He's unpopular, he's isolated and he has made enemies within his own party. President Nicolas Sarkozy is having trouble finding any success. Regional elections across the country threaten to turn into a debacle for the French leader's conservative UMP party.
The presidential trips to the far flung corners of his nation are part of Nicolas Sarkozy's plan: Whether it be industry, arts, culture or science, the French leader likes to find the appropriate backdrop to announce reforms, new programs and plans of action. Last Sunday, he announced new subsidies for farmers inside a stable at an agricultural fair. Employment and job training were themes introduced in the district of Doubs in eastern France.
The presidential appearance at the round table was supposed to symbolize Sarkozy's close connection with the French people. "I am happy to be here," Sarkozy said, praising the region of Franche-Comté (which includes the district of Doubs) as "the most important industrial region of France." But even though the president's visit was carefully staged and took place in front of a well-mannered, welcoming crowd, the lightning visit to the city of Pontarlier, in Doubs, didn't exactly come across as an exercise in statesmanship. Instead of being perceived as victorious, Sarkozy appeared to be both overly sensitive and aggressive.
Turkey has recalled its ambassador to Sweden after its parliament narrowly voted to describe the killing of Armenians by Ottoman forces during World War One as genocide. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister "strongly" condemned Thursday's vote, which comes only a week after Ankara recalled its envoy to the US over a similar resolution. "Our people and our government reject this decision based upon major errors and without foundation,"Erdogan said, adding that he was cancelling a Turkey-Sweden summit scheduled next week. Turkey, which accepts that many Christian Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks, rejects that up to 1.5 million died and that it amounted to genocide - a term employed by many Western historians.>
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish prime minister "strongly" condemned Thursday's vote, which comes only a week after Ankara recalled its envoy to the US over a similar resolution.
"Our people and our government reject this decision based upon major errors and without foundation,"Erdogan said, adding that he was cancelling a Turkey-Sweden summit scheduled next week.
Turkey, which accepts that many Christian Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turks, rejects that up to 1.5 million died and that it amounted to genocide - a term employed by many Western historians.>
Western Europe is one of the wealthiest regions in the world - and it is hard to find slums there. But in Portugal, the poverty-stricken area of Cova da Moura, which sits on the edge of Lisbon, the country's capital, people live destitute lives. Since the 1970s, the area has become home to some 6,000 people.
Western Europe is one of the wealthiest regions in the world - and it is hard to find slums there.
But in Portugal, the poverty-stricken area of Cova da Moura, which sits on the edge of Lisbon, the country's capital, people live destitute lives.
Since the 1970s, the area has become home to some 6,000 people.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy (right) and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown have accused Washington of protectionism, claiming the Pentagon favoured US company Boeing for a $50 billion Air Force refuelling tanker contract.The leaders of France and Britain have accused Washington of obstructing European aerospace company EADS from fairly competing for a $50 billion Air Force refuelling tanker contract. The trans-Atlantic dispute over a $50 billion US Air Force refuelling tanker contract reached new heights Friday, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown accused Washington of protectionism -- a policy that the USA usually warns other countries against. If the US "wants to be taken seriously in the fight against protectionism, they should be setting a better example", Sarkozy said at a joint press conference with his British counterpart in London.
The leaders of France and Britain have accused Washington of obstructing European aerospace company EADS from fairly competing for a $50 billion Air Force refuelling tanker contract.
The trans-Atlantic dispute over a $50 billion US Air Force refuelling tanker contract reached new heights Friday, as French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown accused Washington of protectionism -- a policy that the USA usually warns other countries against.
If the US "wants to be taken seriously in the fight against protectionism, they should be setting a better example", Sarkozy said at a joint press conference with his British counterpart in London.
The government has rejected raising the age of criminal responsibility after the children's commissioner for England argued that the killers of James Bulger were too young to have faced trial.Maggie Atkinson, who was appointed as the commissioner last autumn, said Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were 10 when they killed the toddler, should not have been tried for murder because they were too young to understand the full consequences of their actions.Calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised from 10 to 12, Atkinson told the Times that a civilised society should recognise that children who commit offences should be treated differently from adult criminals.But a Ministry of Justice spokesman today ruled out a change in the law. He said: "We are committed to tackling crime, and in particular intervening early with young people to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.
The government has rejected raising the age of criminal responsibility after the children's commissioner for England argued that the killers of James Bulger were too young to have faced trial.
Maggie Atkinson, who was appointed as the commissioner last autumn, said Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, who were 10 when they killed the toddler, should not have been tried for murder because they were too young to understand the full consequences of their actions.
Calling for the age of criminal responsibility to be raised from 10 to 12, Atkinson told the Times that a civilised society should recognise that children who commit offences should be treated differently from adult criminals.
But a Ministry of Justice spokesman today ruled out a change in the law. He said: "We are committed to tackling crime, and in particular intervening early with young people to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.
We are committed to tackling crime, and in particular intervening early with young people to prevent crime and antisocial behaviour.
The Liberal Democrats would not support any plan to cut public spending too early in the next Parliament, leader Nick Clegg has said.Deep cuts would be "economic masochism" so early in recovery, Mr Clegg said. In a hung parliament, the party with the "stronger mandate" had a "moral right to seek to govern", he added. Labour said it was pleased the Lib Dems agreed with its plan to delay cuts. The Conservatives said senior Lib Dems were contradicting each other on cuts. In his speech to the spring conference on Saturday, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable accused Labour and the Conservatives of engaging in a "phoney war over cuts weeks before an election that will affect the lives of millions of people".
The Liberal Democrats would not support any plan to cut public spending too early in the next Parliament, leader Nick Clegg has said.
Deep cuts would be "economic masochism" so early in recovery, Mr Clegg said.
In a hung parliament, the party with the "stronger mandate" had a "moral right to seek to govern", he added.
Labour said it was pleased the Lib Dems agreed with its plan to delay cuts. The Conservatives said senior Lib Dems were contradicting each other on cuts.
In his speech to the spring conference on Saturday, Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable accused Labour and the Conservatives of engaging in a "phoney war over cuts weeks before an election that will affect the lives of millions of people".
We do not have to live in a country where the poorest pay the biggest chunk of their income in tax. We do not have to live in a country where politics is the plaything of wealthy donors and corrupt MPs. We do not have to live in a country where the banks can profiteer at the expense of everybody else and our climate is in jeopardy. We do not have to live in a country where children's chances are determined more by their parents' background than by their own hopes and dreams. ... Labour: the party of the many. The many disasters. You know their new slogan: a future fair for all. If that sounds familiar, that's because they've used it before. Seven years ago. Well based on what's happened since then: it isn't a slogan - it's a warning. It's like advertising a second trip on the Titanic. Gordon Brown's unsinkable economy. Actually, there is one thing I have to give Gordon Brown credit for: He handled Piers Morgan a lot better than I did. As for the Conservatives: the world's first offshore political party. It used to be a British party. Now it's a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lord Ashcroft, a man who collects tax havens the way some people collect beer mats. How can David Cameron claim to clean up politics, when he can't even clean up his own party chairman? The label still says Made in Britain, but the money says Made in Belize. ... Liberal Democrats are, I believe, the guarantor of good sense. After all, we are the party of Vince Cable. We are the guarantor - whatever the outcome of the election - that no risks will be taken with Britain's financial position. Liberal Democrats have gone further than any political party in identifying cuts - we will be setting out a programme of savings of £15bn a year by 2012. From ending government contributions to Child Trust Funds to removing the top 20% of claimants from the tax credit system. From cancelling the ID card programme to abolishing the Government Offices for the Regions. We have put together, line by line, the most substantial and deliverable programme of deficit reduction in British politics. And we have taken the bold step of cutting back, dramatically, our proposals for new spending. ... I am not the kingmaker. The 45 million voters of Britain are the kingmakers. They give the politicians their marching orders, not the other way round. It's called democracy - and I kind of like it.
...
Labour: the party of the many. The many disasters. You know their new slogan: a future fair for all. If that sounds familiar, that's because they've used it before. Seven years ago. Well based on what's happened since then: it isn't a slogan - it's a warning. It's like advertising a second trip on the Titanic. Gordon Brown's unsinkable economy. Actually, there is one thing I have to give Gordon Brown credit for: He handled Piers Morgan a lot better than I did.
As for the Conservatives: the world's first offshore political party. It used to be a British party. Now it's a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lord Ashcroft, a man who collects tax havens the way some people collect beer mats. How can David Cameron claim to clean up politics, when he can't even clean up his own party chairman? The label still says Made in Britain, but the money says Made in Belize.
Liberal Democrats are, I believe, the guarantor of good sense. After all, we are the party of Vince Cable. We are the guarantor - whatever the outcome of the election - that no risks will be taken with Britain's financial position. Liberal Democrats have gone further than any political party in identifying cuts - we will be setting out a programme of savings of £15bn a year by 2012. From ending government contributions to Child Trust Funds to removing the top 20% of claimants from the tax credit system. From cancelling the ID card programme to abolishing the Government Offices for the Regions. We have put together, line by line, the most substantial and deliverable programme of deficit reduction in British politics. And we have taken the bold step of cutting back, dramatically, our proposals for new spending.
I am not the kingmaker. The 45 million voters of Britain are the kingmakers. They give the politicians their marching orders, not the other way round. It's called democracy - and I kind of like it.
