MFS - The Other News

                    Morning Posting.

• Updated !Earthquakes in the last 24 hours in the world seismic activity situation Japan 5.4  !More info here.

• U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Pays Homage To Obama . . . But Not Jesus.(CNSNews).The 63-foot Sierra White Fir lighted at the U.S. Capitol Grounds on Dec. 6 as the official 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree includes a prominently displayed ornament paying homage to President Barack Obama, but includes no ornament readily visible to a person standing near the tree’s base that uses the word “Christmas,” or includes an image of the Nativity, or bears the name or image of Jesus Christ.On the north side of the tree — at a height of about 4 feet and easily visible to people standing near it — there is an ornament that says: “I ♥ President Obama.”When asked whether the tree included any ornaments that mention or depict Christmas or the birth of Jesus, the office of the Architect of the Capitol, which is responsible for the tree, told CNSNews.com that it “does not have a policy nor any restrictions concerning the themes for the ornaments” that go on the tree. The office could not say, however, whether or not this year’s Christmas tree does in fact include even a single ornament that directly references or depicts Christmas or Christ.Hmmm.....Nearly All communist dictators had a personality cult.Read the full story here.

• U.S. senator says Obama administration should not deal with the Taliban.(AlArabiya).A key Republican U.S. senator warned against negotiating with the Taliban on Monday, illustrating the political risk the Obama administration is taking by considering a prisoner transfer as part of a bid to end the Afghan war.U.S. officials told Reuters a transfer of Taliban prisoners from the Guantanamo Bay military prison into Afghan government custody could be one confidence-building measure critical to making progress on a peace deal between the Taliban and the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. “It sounds as if the administration has decided to negotiate with terrorists, something the United States does not do,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss, senior Republican on the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, said in response to senior Obama administration officials’ characterization of the talks, which they say have reached a critical juncture.“Handing over detainees, who likely continue to pose a threat to the United States, should not be the first step in building confidence,” Chambliss said in a statement.Officials are not optimistic about their chances of clinching a deal, but they hope the transfer of five Taliban detainees and other possible confidence-building measures, including a Taliban denunciation of terrorism, might lead to authentic Afghan-Taliban talks on the war-torn country’s political future.White House efforts to strike a deal with a repressive Islamist movement that has been killing U.S. soldiers for a decade – even if it is now widely accepted the war cannot be won on the battlefield alone – could become a liability for Obama in an election year.“Any discussion of prisoner transfers should only be done after an agreement to cease hostilities has been reached, and should be done in the open, with thorough oversight from Congress and visibility for the American people about exactly who these detainees are and what terrorist acts they committed,” said Chambliss, voicing some of the concerns.U.S. officials say the possible transfer of detainees would be a “national decision” made in consultation with Congress in accordance with new rules for handling detainees.Obama is expected to shortly sign into law the 2011 defense authorization bill, which includes provisions that would broaden the military’s involvement in detaining suspected militants and require the Pentagon to certify in most cases certain security conditions will be met before prisoners can be sent home.U.S. officials stress that any real negotiations must take place directly between the Karzai government and the Taliban, with U.S. diplomats only playing a facilitating role.Yet it’s clear that in Washington, there is a growing willingness to engage directly with the Taliban as foreign troops edge closer toward the exit in Afghanistan.Hmmmm.......I bring reason to your ears, and, in language as plain as ABC, hold up truth to your eyes. ~ Thomas Paine, December 23, 1776.Read the full story here.

• U.S. Boots On The Ground: U.S. Special Forces Join Hunt for Ugandan Rebels.(StratRisks).US special forces have set up a base in the Central African Republic as part of their regional hunt for fighters from the Ugandan-born Lord’s Resistance Army group, military sources said Monday.“The deployment of this contingent, the size of which is unknown, was carried out very discreetly with Ugandan military aircraft,” a Central African military official said on condition of anonymity.The US elite troops set up a base in Obo and are expected to coordinate their efforts with local government forces and Ugandan soldiers.US President Barack Obama in October announced he was sending 100 special forces soldiers to Kampala to help Uganda track down LRA chief and international fugitive Joseph Kony, who has wreaked havoc over four nations for more than two decades.Besides Obo, the US forces also have a forward base in South Sudan. They began deploying in Uganda earlier this month.The rebels currently number several hundred, a fraction of their strength at their peak but still include a core of hardened fighters infamous for mutilating civilians and abducting children for soldiers and sex-slaves.The majority of US troops will be based in Uganda while a smaller number will be based in jungle areas in neighbouring countries to advise regional armies tracking the rebels, US officials say.Read the full story here.

• Secrecy defines Obama’s drone war.(Washingtonpost).Since September, at least 60 people have died in 14 reported CIA drone strikes in Pakistan’s tribal regions. The Obama administration has named only one of the dead, hailing the elimination of Janbaz Zadran, a top official in the Haqqani insurgent network, as a counterterrorism victory.The identities of the rest remain classified, as does the existence of the drone program itself. Because the names of the dead and the threat they were believed to pose are secret, it is impossible for anyone without access to U.S. intelligence to assess whether the deaths were justified.The administration has said that its covert, targeted killings with remote-controlled aircraft in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and potentially beyond are proper under both domestic and international law. It has said that the targets are chosen under strict criteria, with rigorous internal oversight.It has parried reports of collateral damage and the alleged killing of innocents by saying that drones, with their surveillance capabilities and precision missiles, result in far fewer mistakes than less sophisticated weapons.Read the full story here.

• France - Armenian genocide: "The Turks practice diplomacy of threat".(LePoint) - GoogleTranslated. UMP MP Valérie Boyer, who will defend on Thursday the bill on criminalizing denial of Armenian genocide , Tuesday expressed to be "shocked by the level of feedback from the Turks.""Today, we see the Turkish diplomatic practice of threat. It is particularly shocking and we are amazed by the level of feedback from the Turks," said Valerie Boyer.The bill the member of the Bouches-du-Rhone, signed by more than forty members of the presidential majority, to sanction the protest genocide recognized by law to one year in prison and 45,000 euros fine. It has angered Turkey, which threatens France's diplomatic and economic reprisals if the text is adopted. "Diplomacy of the threat is particularly archaic. It is an interference that can only strengthen the resolve of Parliament," insisted Valérie Boyer. "This proposal is the culmination of a long legislative process that began with the recognition of the Armenian genocide in 2001. We had to go further with the criminalization of denial of the genocide," he told the elected, that this decision French parliamentarians is "inspired by the human rights" and "not directed against any country." Read the full story here.

• Gül’s call falls on Sarkozy’s deaf ears.(Hurriyet).In an unprecedented move that was perceived as an act of disrespectfulness by Turkey, French President Nicolas Sarkozy refused to talk to the Turkish President Abdullah Gül on the phone, as the latter attempted to call him to personally to convey his message over the Armenian ‘genocide’ denial bill to be voted Thursday in the French parliament.The Elysée Palace was notified Monday morning that Gül would like to talk to Sarkozy in person, but the request was not met, leading Gül to issue a written statement slamming the bill, sources from the president’s office said. “We have not received a reply from Sarkozy for the last two days,” one source said. “Sarkozy did not have the courage to talk to Gül on the issue.” Hmmmm......Bravo Monsieur le president "la vieille garde meurt mais se rends pas"?Read the full story here.

• US commander visits Israel to finalize missile drill.(JPost).Israel, US to hold largest ever missile defense exercise this spring; thousands of US soldiers will be deployed in Israel.Israel is moving forward with plans to hold the largest-ever missile defense exercise in its history this coming spring amid Iranian efforts to obtain nuclear weapons.Last week, Lt. Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the US’s Third Air Force based in Germany, visited Israel to finalize plans for the upcoming drill, expected to see the deployment of several thousand American soldiers in Israel.The drill, which is unprecedented in its size, will include the establishment of US command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany – with the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces for the event of a future large-scale conflict in the Middle East.The US will also bring its THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and ship-based Aegis ballistic missile defense systems to Israel to simulate the interception of missile salvos against Israel. The American systems will work in conjunction with Israel’s missile defense systems – the Arrow, Patriot and Iron Dome.Gorenc came to Israel for talks with Brig.-Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the Air Force’s Air Defense Division. He toured one of the Iron Dome batteries stationed in the South as well as the Israel Test Bed lab in Holon where the IAF holds its interception simulation exercises.The IAF is planning to deploy a fourth batter of the Iron Dome counter rocket battery in the coming months and is mulling the possibility of stationing it in Haifa to protect oil refineries located there.The Defense Ministry has allocated a budget to manufacture an additional three Iron Dome batteries by the end of 2012. IAF operational requirements call for the deployment of about a dozen batteries along Israel's northern and southern borders.The IAF is also moving forward with plans to deploy Rafael’s David's Sling missile defense system, which is designed to defend against medium-range rockets and cruise missiles. Rafael recently completed a series of successful navigation and flight tests of the David's Sling's interceptor and plans are to hold the first interception test by mid-2012. Hmmm.....What is Turkey's Role.... if any in all this ?Read the full story here.

• Senior Iranian lawmaker 'Turkey shouldn't harbor NATO missiles'.(PressTV).A senior Iranian lawmaker says Turkey should not allow the deployment of a NATO missile shield on its soil as it could cause tension in bilateral relations between Tehran and Ankara.“Officials of both countries should emphasize the continuation of brotherly relations between Iran and Turkey,” Alaeddin Boroujerdi said in a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Tehran Umit Yardim on Tuesday.The lawmaker, who heads Iran Majlis (parliament) National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, pointed to the two countries' prominent regional position and said, “Expansion and development of relations with neighboring and Muslim countries is a principle in Iran's foreign policy,”Boroujerdi said the historical, religious, and cultural commonalties between Iran and Turkey provided the grounds for cordial interaction in various areas, including parliamentary relations.The Turkish ambassador, for his part, highlighted the existence of mutual trust in relations between Turkey and Iran and said the dialogue and exchange of views between the officials of both countries will thwart the detrimental efforts of the foreign media and enemies.On September 2, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal announced the country's decision to host a missile shield developed by the United States for NATO, on its territory.A military facility in the village of Kurecik, 700 kilometers from the Iranian border, has been chosen as site of the missiles.Thousands of Turkish citizens have held several demonstrations in Kurecik to protest against the planned deployment of the NATO missile shield.In an interview with Press TV last month, leader of Turkey's People's Voice Party Numan Kurtulmus said the Turkish government has made a wrong move by accepting to host the missile system.Russia and Iran have both expressed their opposition to the US-led missile plan.The Iranian government has criticized Turkey's agreement and urged Ankara to reconsider its decision.Moscow says the system does not provide security for Washington's European allies but is effectively aimed at RussiaThe Kremlin has also threatened to deploy missiles to target the missile defense system in Europe if Washington fails to alleviate Russian concerns about its plans.Hmmm....Can NATO trust Turkey........?Read the full story here.

• Panetta: Iran can assemble bomb in year or less.(Ynet).WASHINGTON – Iran has reached the point where it can assemble a bomb in a year or potentially less, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said overnight Tuesday.In an interview for CBS's "60 Minutes," Panetta said that should Iran proceed with developing a nuclear weapon "then we will take whatever steps necessary to stop it."Just two weeks ago Panetta spoke out against a military strike on Iran, saying it could have severe economic repercussions worldwide, but he told CBS that the military option was not "off the table." Asked about the possibility of an Israeli attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, the defense secretary said, "Well, we share the same common concern. The United States does not want Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. That's a red line for us and that's a red line, obviously, for the Israelis. If we have to do it we will deal with it." Panetta said that if Iran has a "hidden facility somewhere" where it is enriching fuel – that would allow it to speed up the development of nuclear arms.The defense secretary said that while a nuclear Iran would be "unacceptable," he has no indication yet that the Iranians have made the decision to produce nuclear weapons. The full interview with Panetta will be aired next week.US President Barack Obama said over the weekend that his administration was determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. "We’re going to keep up the pressure, and that’s why, rest assured, we will take no options off the table,” Obama said at a convention of the Union for Reform Judaism in near Washington. “We’re going to keep standing with our Israeli friends and allies.Obama met Defense Minister Ehud Barak met privately on the sidelines of the conference, but details from the meeting were not revealed. Following the meeting, the American leader said "the cooperation between our militaries has never been stronger."Barak refused to say whether Obama requested full cooperation on the Iranian issue in order to prevent an independent Israeli military strike. The defense minister only responded that both countries agree that a nuclear Iran is "unacceptable."Hmmmm.....Do i hear reelection strategy?Read the full story here.

• Million-man march called by Egypt activists for Friday against military rule.(BikyaMasr).CAIRO: Egyptian activists are not planning to sit still and go home quietly, instead they have called for a million-man march for Friday to continue their protests against military rule of the country.In response to the past four days of violent clashes with police and the military, which left at least 14 people dead and over 700 wounded, a coalition of opposition groups have called for December 23 to be a protest under the banner “down with military rule.”Some 19 activist groups have issued a statement calling on civilians to join them in order to regain “the country’s honor.”They argue that since the ousting of former President Hosni Mubarak, the military rule of the country has “tarnished” the revolution and left the country in shambles.The past few days of military violence against protesters, many activists have continued their demands to oust the military junta from power. They cite repeated violations and the killing of protesters since the armed forces took power on February 12, initially saying they would remain in charge for only 6 months.The mobilization against the military began in earnest on October 9, when the military opened fire on Coptic Christian protesters, killing at least 27 people. The military subsequently denied opening fire and accused unknown gunmen of perpetrating the violence, although no arrests have been made.Making matters worse, bloggers and civilians have been detained and tried in controversial military trials since Mubarak’s ousting. Some 12,000 civilians have been jailed by the military, which has sparked a No Military Trials group led by activists, including Mona Seif and Nour Ayman Nour, who have been instrumental in galvanizing activists against the military.Then last month, police attacked a sit-in in Tahrir Square, injuring a number of protesters, which brought out hundreds of thousands to Tahrir. Clashes began on Mohamed Mahmoud street, where police used tear gas indiscriminately against protesters and live ammunition, killing over 70 people, medical sources told Bikyamasr.com.Now, as violence took hold of Cairo over the past few days, activists are fed up, saying they will push forward on the revolution’s demands and will not stop until the military is removed from power and tried for human rights violations and the killing of protesters.Read the full story here.

• 'Winnie' in the House  - Boehner: We'll take Churchill bust in the Capitol.(The Hill).House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has introduced a resolution calling for a bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to be placed in the U.S. Capitol, and the House is expected to approve the resolution on Monday.If passed, the resolution would once again return Churchill to a prime spot in the nation's capitol. President Obama in 2009 famously returned a bust of Churchill that was in the White House back to Britain, sparking complaints that Obama seemed to be diminishing the primacy of the U.S.-British relationship.Boehner's resolution notes that Dec. 26 is the 70th anniversary of Churchill's joint speech to Congress, and that Churchill was made an honorary citizen of the United States in 1963 and given the Congressional Gold Medal in 1969."[T]he United Kingdom remains and will forever be an important and irreplaceable ally to the United States," the resolution reads.The resolution, H.Res. 497, will be considered under a suspension of House rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.Hmmmm......The congress teaparty?Read the full story here.

• First time since Hamas took power: Haniyeh to tour Mideast.(DougRoss).(JPost).Trip comes amid Islamist rise to power in Arab world; Qatari emir invites Hamas prime minister to visit Doha.Buoyed by the rise of the Islamists to power in the Arab world, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is planning a tour of Arab and Islamic countries – the first of its kind since his movement came to power in 2006. ...Haniyeh is currently considering visiting not only Qatar, but also Turkey, Bahrain, Tunisia and a number of Arab countries. He pointed out that Turkey had also invited Haniyeh.On Sunday, Haniyeh phoned the emir of Qatar to congratulate him on the emirate’s independence anniversary. During the conversation, Haniyeh invited the emir to visit the Gaza Strip... the emir has accepted the invitation, saying it was a “national duty to go to the Gaza Strip under the current circumstances.” However, no date has been set for the visit, Rizka added.Qatar is one of the few Arab countries that openly support Hamas. Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal has visited Doha several times in the past few years. Haniyeh also phoned the king of Bahrain and the crown-prince of Saudi Arabia and thanked them for their ongoing support for the Palestinians, the Hamas advisor said.There's more than one way to throw Israel under the bus, isn’t that right Mr. Obama? Many decades from now, when the history books are written, the "Obama Doctrine" -- such as it is -- will be described as the lynch-pin of the Islamist overthrow of the Middle East.Hmmmm....."“I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”Read the full story here.

• UN delivers first ever report on LGBT globally.(BikyaMasr).The first ever United Nations report on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people details how around the world people are killed or endure hate-motivated violence, torture, detention, criminalization and discrimination in jobs, health care and education because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.The report, released last week by the UN Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, outlines “a pattern of human rights violations… that demands a response,” and says governments have too often overlooked violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.Homophobic and transphobic violence has been recorded in every region of the world, the report finds, and ranges from murder, kidnappings, assaults and rapes to psychological threats and arbitrary deprivations of liberty.LGBT people are often targets of organized abuse from religious extremists, paramilitary groups, neo-Nazis, extreme nationalists and others, as well as family and community violence, with lesbians and transgender women at particular risk.“Violence against LGBT persons tends to be especially vicious compared to other bias-motivated crimes,” the report notes, citing data indicating that homophobic hate crimes often include “a high degree of cruelty and brutality.”Violent incidents or acts of discrimination frequently go unreported because victims do not trust police, are afraid of reprisals or are unwilling to identify themselves as LGBT.The report – prepared in response to a request from the UN Human Rights Council earlier this year – draws from information included in past UN reporting, official statistics on hate crimes where there are available, and reporting by regional organizations and some non-governmental organizations (NGOs).In the report, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, calls on countries to repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality, abolish the death penalty for offences involving consensual sexual relations, harmonize the age of consent for heterosexual and homosexual conduct, and enact comprehensive anti-discrimination laws.In 76 countries it remains illegal to engage in same-sex conduct and in at least five countries – Iran, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen – the death penalty prevails.Ms. Pillay recommends that Member States also promptly investigate all killings or serious violent incidents perpetrated because of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity, and to establish systems to record such incidents.The High Commissioner also calls on countries to ensure that no one fleeing persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is returned to a territory where their life or freedom is at threat, and that asylum laws recognize that sexual orientation or gender identity is a valid basis for claiming persecution.Public information campaigns should be introduced, especially in schools, to counter homophobia, and police and law enforcement officials should also receive training to ensure LGBT people are treated appropriately and fairly.Charles Radcliffe, the chief of OHCHR’s global issues section, told UN Radio that “one of the things we found is if the law essentially reflects homophobic sentiment, then it legitimizes homophobia in society at large. If the State treats people as second class or second rate or, worse, as criminals, then it’s inviting people to do the same thing.”He stressed that all UN Member States have an obligation under international human rights law to decriminalize homosexuality, adding it was important to persuade rather than lecture States to change their laws.“I think we have seen the balance of opinion amongst States really shifting significantly in recent years. Some 30 countries have decriminalized homosexuality in the last two decades or so.”Mr. Radcliffe said that while all people have freedom of religion, “no religious belief or prevailing cultural values can justify stripping people of their basic rights.”The report, which will be discussed by Council members at a meeting in March next year, has been released as top UN officials have increasingly raised concerns about human rights violations against LGBT people.Last year, in a speech marking Human Rights Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that “as men and women of conscience, we reject discrimination in general, and in particular discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”Ms. Pillay, during a public conversation last week on social media, also called for an end to bullying and other forms of persecution of LGBT people.Hmmm....How many of the 76 countries would be Muslim countries?Read the full story here.

• Fire at second largest Iran refinery prompts state of emergency.(Ynet).A malfunction at an Isfahan refinery caused a leakage of cooling water from its generators - the latest in a string of mysterious mishaps in Iran in the past few months. A power outage was created as a result and a state of emergency was declared at the refinery, the Iranian Mehr news agency reported. According to the report, one person was injured and taken to hospital. Various eye-witnesses reported seeing flames and thick smoke covering the area. The report stated that workers burned off the excess oil and gas in pipes to prevent a blast in the site. Traffic to the site was blocked and all phone lines were disconnected to prevent an explosion.The Isfahan refinery is the second largest in Iran. A local oil company official said that the situation was under control and that the malfunction would be repaired within several hours. He denied that a fire had broken out.A senior employee at the refinery denied there was a blast, explaining that the flames and smoke seen in the area were caused due to the burning of excess materials in the pipes. He explained that power had been cut off due to safety reasons. Iran ranks second in the world in work accidents. Last week, a blast at a steel factory in Yazd left at least 18 dead.Read the full story here.

• Dagan: Threat of attack may hasten Iran nuke program.(Ynet).A military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities should not be Israel's first option, former Mossad chief Meir Dagan said Monday. During a conference on Iran's nuclear program and Israeli decision-making, which was held at the Netanya Academic College, Dagan said "I made my opinion clear a while ago. I have no doubt that (the nuclear program) is Israel's main strategic challenge, particularly because the conventional threats – Syria and Egypt – do not pose a security challenge for Israel at this point." The former Mossad chief said he believed the military option should "be on the table, but not as a first option. The commotion surrounding the immediate alternative of an attack may lead the Iranians into a reality in which they are (pushed over the edge) and try to obtain nuclear capabilities as quickly as possible instead of treading rather carefully while taking the international community's demands into consideration." According to Dagan, "this situation could prove to be problematic because it may (affect the entire Middle East) in such a way that it would have security and economic-related repercussions for Israel (and other countries)."I am reiterating what I have always said – the military option should exist, but we must resort to it only when all else fails," he told the conference, which was also attended by former Shin Bet security service chief Yaakov Peri and former National Security Council head Uzi Dayan, among other researchers and security establishment figures. Shortly after completing his term as Mossad chief, Dagan said an aerial strike on Iran was a "foolish idea with no upside." In May he said "whoever attacks Iran should know he may be launching a regional war during which missiles will be fired from Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon." During the discussion Dagan made a politically-incorrect remark. While apologizing for being ill, he said he sounded "like a pillow-biter." Read the full story here.

• UAE Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi vows to restore Egypt Scientific Institute.(BikyaMasr).CAIRO: Dr. Sheikh Sultan Al Qassimi, ruler of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, has pledged that he will restore the Scientific Institute in downtown Cairo that was burned in fiery clashes between protesters and the Egyptian Military on Monday.He also pledged to donate rare manuscripts, maps, and a book titled “Description of Egypt” in his possession, expressing sadness over riots and the subsequent destruction of historic texts and books in the clashes.“The Scientific Complex and the National Archives are monuments that represent the cultural heritage of Egypt. They serve to play an important part not just in chronicling the country’s rich history, but also as a rich resource of information for generations to come. It is our responsibility to restore these pillars of knowledge to their former glory,” said the Sheikh in a press statement.“The gesture to rebuild the Scientific Complex and donate original manuscripts from my personal library is in acknowledgement of the relationship Sharjah has shared with Egypt,” he continued.Documents lost in the fire caused by the clashes include an original manuscript of Napoleon’s “Description of Egypt,” the original manuscripts of journals printed in 1860, as well as maps from the private collection of Prince Youssef Kamal of the Ottoman dynasty.Protesters and civilians have gathered to save as many of the texts and documents as possible, as the violence continues for the fifth consecutive day in Cairo.“I have authorized a team to draw up a list of books that were destroyed. During the period that the complex is getting restored, I will make sure that these books are sourced from my Grand Library and donated to the Egyptian archives. I have also directed a team to ensure that no books in the archives are exposed to pilferage and are kept in safe hands. Work on the restoration of the Scientific Complex is anticipated to be completed early next year,” pledged the Sheikh.Read the full story here.

• Armenian 'Genocide' bill on French Parliament agenda.(HurriyetDaily).The French government did not object to the placement of the motion criminalizing the denial of the Armenian claims of genocide on the Parliament agenda, according to Anatolia news agency.  The government's lack of objection secured the future vote of the bill by the French Parliament on Thursday.  If the motion passes, anyone who publicly denies the Armenian genocide claims or the 1915 events would face a year in prison and a 45,000 euro fine.Turkey has been increasing pressure on France to halt the motion, with businessmen and politicians contributing to campaigns.  Earlier today, news of a French hotel cancelling reservations for a conference room by a Turkish delegation campaigning against the motion had surfaced. The cancellation was reportedly caused by political pressure placed on the French hotel management.Hmmm.....Les morts vous saluent.Read the full story here.

• Flanders: Sharia4Belgium should be stopped, says Muslim MP.(IIE).Via HLN (Dutch):The radical Muslim organization Sharia4Belgium should be stopped, says Flemish MP Yamila Idrissi. "Either we have to deal with a dangerous group or with a gang of village fools, but in both cases, something should be done," says Idrissi.Last weekend Sharia4Belgium threatened to destroy the Atomium monument in Brussels since it was a symbol of idolatry. "If that threat is right, and if the organization is truly dangerous, then the police and courts should intervene and do their work," says Idrissi."But if that's not the case, then we shouldn't give then a bigger forum than they deserve," says the sp.a. politician. She says the organization abuses Islam too. "Sharia4Belgium has nothing to do with Islam, and they don't speak in the name of Belgian Muslims at all. Why then are they constantly given a forum?" she asks. Read the full story here.

• Rome Basilica Vandalized, Bronze Door Damaged.(ABC).Vandals have made a fist-sized hole in the bronze central door of one of Rome's main basilicas, St. Mary Major.The damage, seemingly made by a small-tipped hammer or rock, was discovered Tuesday morning on a panel of the door depicting the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. The ANSA news agency said the presumed vandal had been detained.The man, a 32 year-old Rumanian homeless, was arrested on charges of aggravated damage by the police .The basilica, which dates from the 5th century, is one of four in Rome that are under the direct jurisdiction of the Vatican.According to legend, Mary appeared to Pope Liberius in August 358 and directed him to build a church where he would find snow in the morning; the miraculous snowfall is commemorated each Aug. 5.Read the full story here.More here (GoogleTranslate).

• Ukrainian Femen activists disappeared in Belarus after topless protest near KGB building.(RaiNovosti).Three Ukrainian activists from the feminist movement Femen disappeared on Monday in Belarus after staging a topless protest near Minsk's KGB headquarters against the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko, the movement said on its web site.The semi-naked activists, Inna Shevchenko, Oksana Shachko and Alexandra Nemchinova gathered in front of the Minsk KGB headquarters on Monday, marking the one-year anniversary of a crackdown on the opposition that followed protests against the reelection of Lukashenko. The girls were chanting “Long live, Belarus” and raising posters “Freedom to political prisoners.”Soon after the protests police arrested the Femen operator, an Australian journalist, Kitti Green, who was later deported to Vilnius, while the whereabouts of the girls who managed to escape is still unknown, Femen’s head Anna Gutsol told RIA Novosti.“We still can not contact the girls as their telephones are switched off and none of the Minsk police stations confirmed their arrest,” Gutsol said.The leader of the movement said that Belarusian security services were likely behind their disappearance.Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that it had not received any information about the activists’ detention but Ukrainian diplomats in Minsk are investigating the case, ministry’s press service said.Topless protests have been used on a number of occasions by Femen activists to attract public attention to various domestic and international problems, most of them are university students.The Femen's protest in Minsk was dedicated to 2010’s violent crackdown on opposition when hundreds of people were detained during large-scale protests that broke out in Minsk following presidential elections, which saw president Lukashenko win a landslide victory, with almost 80 percent of the vote.The opposition then said the polls were rigged. The elections were also criticized by international observers.Hmmm......Read the full story here.