Nicolas Sarkozy ally accused of spying in latest scandal to hit re-election bid
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Prosecutor close to French president in court over allegations of spying on Le Monde journalists investigating Bettencourt scandal The threat to Nicolas Sarkozy’s re-election bid from corruption scandals intensified on Wednesday after a leading state prosecutor close to the president was summoned before judges over an alleged dirty tricks campaign to spy on journalists. Seven months before the presidential election, Sarkozy, who once promised to be Mr Squeaky Clean of French politics, has seen his close circle come under pressure in a series of corruption investigations whose plots thicken by the day. Investigators are untangling a web of scandals involving alleged illegal party-funding with banknotes variously stuffed into bags, briefcases and brown envelopes, as well as phone interceptions. As the beleaguered president unveiled his austerity budget on Wednesday, his government was waging a public relations war to try to dampen the talk of sleaze and to stress that Sarkozy himself had not been personally implicated. But with his closest allies being dragged into investigations, questions were being raised over Sarkozy’s role. Coupled with the humiliating political defeat of the senate falling to the left for the first time in more than 50 years, voices in Sarkozy’s own ruling party even began to question whether he was the best candidate to stand for the right in the 2012 presidential race. The latest scandal involves an alleged “cabinet noir”, or office of shady operations, at the highest reaches of the state after Le Monde complained that the secret services had spied on its journalists to uncover their sources. French state intelligence agencies are accused of illegally obtaining detailed phone records of every call and movement of Le Monde’s investigations editor Gérard Davet in order to uncover his source on a story about the Bettencourt affair – the family saga which exploded into a series of tax-evasion and illegal party funding scandals that were extremely damaging to the French right. The source of one story was uncovered as an official in the justice ministry and was swiftly demoted by the government and posted to French Guiana. Le Monde claims two other journalists’ phone records were illegally obtained. The episode was seen as an attempt by the highest echelons of the French state to lean on the media and its sources and scare them into silence. Opposition Socialists are demanding an independent commission examine whether the president’s circle used state intelligence agencies to try to limit the damage to the ruling right UMP party from the growing Bettencourt scandal. Le Monde reported on Wednesday that the magistrate and French state prosecutor, Philippe Courroye, seen as close to Sarkozy, was to be interviewed by a Paris judge as part of the investigation into the spying scandal. The paper said a judge had written to Courroye to summon him for questioning and warn him he could be charged in the case. If so, it would a first in French legal history. The case threatens to raise questions about the president’s influence over state prosecutors. Courroye issued a statement dismissing all allegations and saying he was outraged by the “calumny” against him. He has denied being too close to Sarkozy. The president decorated him with an honour in 2009 and announced they were friends. Two other key figures of Sarkozy’s circle, the head of the secret services, Bernard Squarcini, and chief of police, Frédéric Péchenard, are also to be summoned as witnesses by the judge investigating spying on journalists. The spying saga – described by one magazine editor as evidence of France’s “banana republic” – is the latest in a bewildering array of corruption investigations to hit the right. The Bettencourt affair continues to damage Sarkozy’s ruling UMP party. One inquiry is focused on whether Sarkozy or his party members took brown envelopes of cash from the billionaire L’Oréal shampoo heiress Liliane Bettencourt for illegal party funding. Bettencourt’s former accountant told Liberation on Wednesday that the elderly widow handed Sarkozy’s party treasurer 50,000 euros in cash five months before the 2007 presidential election. In another affair known as “Karachigate”, two of the president’s closest friends, including his best man at his marriage to Carla Bruni, have been charged by judges investigating alleged kickbacks on arms sales to Pakistan in the 1990s. Judges are examining whether kickbacks illegally funded the presidential campaign of Sarkozy’s mentor, former rightwing prime minister Édouard Balladur. The former interior minister Brice Hortefeux, Sarkozy’s oldest friend, faces a legal complaint for leaning on witnesses after he was recording calling one of Sarkozy’s allies who has been charged the Karachi case and warned him that his estranged wife had been “blabbing” too much to investigators. Hortefeux has counter-sued for defamation, denying the charges. The scandals facing Sarkozy The Bettencourt affair : An investigation into whether the billionaire L’Oréal heiress handed envelopes of cash to Sarkozy’s treasurer, party members or even Sarkozy himself to illegally fund his previous presidential campaign. Allegations that the Élysée leant on the judiciary to try to stifle the affair. Eric Woerth, Sarkozy’s treasurer and former budget minister, denies involvement. Karachigate : Allegations that kickbacks from French arms sales to Pakistan in the early 1990s secretly funded the failed presidential campaign of Sarkozy’s mentor Édouard Balladur. Sarkozy was his campaign spokesman. Sarkozy’s office said he had nothing to do with the case. The Lagarde-Tapie affair : Former finance minister Christine Lagarde is under investigation for a 285m euro arbitration deal in favour of the controversial tycoon and Sarkozy ally Bernard Tapie. Did Sarkozy order the deal and did he personally benefit? The government spokeswoman said justice should be allowed to take its course and the presumption of innocence respected. Briefcases of African cash : An Africa expert close to Sarkozy claimed the former president Jacques Chirac and his prime minister Dominique de Villepin received briefcases of banknotes from African leaders to fund party politics. Others suggest this practise continued under Sarkozy. The interior minister said allegations against Sarkozy were “scandalous”. Nicolas Sarkozy France French elections 2012 Europe Le Monde Angelique Chrisafis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Nicolas Sarkozy ally accused of spying in latest scandal to hit re-election bid
September 28, 2011 No CommentProsecutor close to French president in court over allegations of spying on Le Monde journalists investigating Bettencourt scandal The threat to Nicolas Sarkozy’s re-election bid from corruption scandals intensified on Wednesday after a leading state prosecutor close to the president was summoned before judges over an alleged dirty tricks campaign to spy on journalists. Seven months before the presidential election, Sarkozy, who once promised to be Mr Squeaky Clean of French politics, has seen his close circle come under pressure in a series of corruption investigations whose plots thicken by the day. Investigators are untangling a web of scandals involving alleged illegal party-funding with banknotes variously stuffed into bags, briefcases and brown envelopes, as well as phone interceptions. As the beleaguered president unveiled his austerity budget on Wednesday, his government was waging a public relations war to try to dampen the talk of sleaze and to stress that Sarkozy himself had not been personally implicated. But with his closest allies being dragged into investigations, questions were being raised over Sarkozy’s role. Coupled with the humiliating political defeat of the senate falling to the left for the first time in more than 50 years, voices in Sarkozy’s own ruling party even began to question whether he was the best candidate to stand for the right in the 2012 presidential race. The latest scandal involves an alleged “cabinet noir”, or office of shady operations, at the highest reaches of the state after Le Monde complained that the secret services had spied on its journalists to uncover their sources. French state intelligence agencies are accused of illegally obtaining detailed phone records of every call and movement of Le Monde’s investigations editor Gérard Davet in order to uncover his source on a story about the Bettencourt affair – the family saga which exploded into a series of tax-evasion and illegal party funding scandals that were extremely damaging to the French right. The source of one story was uncovered as an official in the justice ministry and was swiftly demoted by the government and posted to French Guiana. Le Monde claims two other journalists’ phone records were illegally obtained. The episode was seen as an attempt by the highest echelons of the French state to lean on the media and its sources and scare them into silence. Opposition Socialists are demanding an independent commission examine whether the president’s circle used state intelligence agencies to try to limit the damage to the ruling right UMP party from the growing Bettencourt scandal. Le Monde reported on Wednesday that the magistrate and French state prosecutor, Philippe Courroye, seen as close to Sarkozy, was to be interviewed by a Paris judge as part of the investigation into the spying scandal. The paper said a judge had written to Courroye to summon him for questioning and warn him he could be charged in the case. If so, it would a first in French legal history. The case threatens to raise questions about the president’s influence over state prosecutors. Courroye issued a statement dismissing all allegations and saying he was outraged by the “calumny” against him. He has denied being too close to Sarkozy. The president decorated him with an honour in 2009 and announced they were friends. Two other key figures of Sarkozy’s circle, the head of the secret services, Bernard Squarcini, and chief of police, Frédéric Péchenard, are also to be summoned as witnesses by the judge investigating spying on journalists. The spying saga – described by one magazine editor as evidence of France’s “banana republic” – is the latest in a bewildering array of corruption investigations to hit the right. The Bettencourt affair continues to damage Sarkozy’s ruling UMP party. One inquiry is focused on whether Sarkozy or his party members took brown envelopes of cash from the billionaire L’Oréal shampoo heiress Liliane Bettencourt for illegal party funding. Bettencourt’s former accountant told Liberation on Wednesday that the elderly widow handed Sarkozy’s party treasurer 50,000 euros in cash five months before the 2007 presidential election. In another affair known as “Karachigate”, two of the president’s closest friends, including his best man at his marriage to Carla Bruni, have been charged by judges investigating alleged kickbacks on arms sales to Pakistan in the 1990s. Judges are examining whether kickbacks illegally funded the presidential campaign of Sarkozy’s mentor, former rightwing prime minister Édouard Balladur. The former interior minister Brice Hortefeux, Sarkozy’s oldest friend, faces a legal complaint for leaning on witnesses after he was recording calling one of Sarkozy’s allies who has been charged the Karachi case and warned him that his estranged wife had been “blabbing” too much to investigators. Hortefeux has counter-sued for defamation, denying the charges. The scandals facing Sarkozy The Bettencourt affair : An investigation into whether the billionaire L’Oréal heiress handed envelopes of cash to Sarkozy’s treasurer, party members or even Sarkozy himself to illegally fund his previous presidential campaign. Allegations that the Élysée leant on the judiciary to try to stifle the affair. Eric Woerth, Sarkozy’s treasurer and former budget minister, denies involvement. Karachigate : Allegations that kickbacks from French arms sales to Pakistan in the early 1990s secretly funded the failed presidential campaign of Sarkozy’s mentor Édouard Balladur. Sarkozy was his campaign spokesman. Sarkozy’s office said he had nothing to do with the case. The Lagarde-Tapie affair : Former finance minister Christine Lagarde is under investigation for a 285m euro arbitration deal in favour of the controversial tycoon and Sarkozy ally Bernard Tapie. Did Sarkozy order the deal and did he personally benefit? The government spokeswoman said justice should be allowed to take its course and the presumption of innocence respected. Briefcases of African cash : An Africa expert close to Sarkozy claimed the former president Jacques Chirac and his prime minister Dominique de Villepin received briefcases of banknotes from African leaders to fund party politics. Others suggest this practise continued under Sarkozy. The interior minister said allegations against Sarkozy were “scandalous”. Nicolas Sarkozy France French elections 2012 Europe Le Monde Angelique Chrisafis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Andy Burnham calls for Ucas-style applications system for apprenticeships
September 28, 2011 No Comment
Shadow education secretary says teenagers should be able to apply for apprenticeships in the same way they do for university The shadow education secretary has called for the creation of a national Ucas-style system for apprenticeships to provide a clear path for teenagers who do not go to university. Andy Burnham told delegates at the Labour party conference in Liverpool: “As a country, we haven’t focused anything like enough on the opportunities for the 50% or more of kids who don’t plan to go to university. Young people who want to head towards work or an apprenticeship are left to fend for themselves.” Burnham’s speech echoed Blair’s “education, education, education” mantra. He said because of the foundations laid by Blair, Labour could go further towards: “aspiration, aspiration, aspiration”. Before his speech, delegates were addressed by Andrew Chubb, a headteacher from Hull, who said the government’s English baccalaureate was damaging and divisive. The English baccalaureate is awarded to pupils who achieve good GCSE passes in English, maths, science, a foreign language and geography. Chubb has launched an alternative called the modern baccalaureate for pupils who gain passes in eight GCSE subjects including English, maths, science and information and communications technology. Burnham called for a true baccalaureate , which would prepare young people for the modern world. He argued that the education secretary, Michael Gove, was promoting Latin and ancient Greek – two of the GCSE options in the English baccalaureate – over engineering, ICT and business studies. “I want as many children as possible to take the subjects in the English baccalaureate. But they are not right for everyone. And yet the message is clear – any school or student who doesn’t succeed is second best. As we have heard today, there is a growing grassroots rejection of Mr Gove and his elitist and divisive policies.” Burnham said free schools “can embody the comprehensive ideal”, but warned this ideal was under attack from changes to the school admissions code and the use of the English baccalaureate as a measure. Before his speech, the conference was also addressed by Yvonne Sharples, a headteacher from a school in Speke, who endeared herself to delegates by declaring: “I was never really cut out for school – I was naughty.” She praised her teachers, who “kept on nurturing me”. Her school has been turned around after going into special measures, the Ofsted term for a failing school. It has gone from 1% of children achieving five good GCSE passes, including English and maths, to 29% this summer. She criticised Gove’s decision to raise the minimum standard for secondary schools from 30% to 35% last year. “In Mr Gove’s eyes we are a failing school,” she said. “Shame on you, Michael, how dare you? 47% of my students gain English GCSE. They believe they’re the best kids in the world because that’s what we tell them.” Labour conference 2011 Andy Burnham Labour Labour conference Jeevan Vasagar guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Andy Burnham calls for Ucas-style applications system for apprenticeships
September 28, 2011 No CommentShadow education secretary says teenagers should be able to apply for apprenticeships in the same way they do for university The shadow education secretary has called for the creation of a national Ucas-style system for apprenticeships to provide a clear path for teenagers who do not go to university. Andy Burnham told delegates at the Labour party conference in Liverpool: “As a country, we haven’t focused anything like enough on the opportunities for the 50% or more of kids who don’t plan to go to university. Young people who want to head towards work or an apprenticeship are left to fend for themselves.” Burnham’s speech echoed Blair’s “education, education, education” mantra. He said because of the foundations laid by Blair, Labour could go further towards: “aspiration, aspiration, aspiration”. Before his speech, delegates were addressed by Andrew Chubb, a headteacher from Hull, who said the government’s English baccalaureate was damaging and divisive. The English baccalaureate is awarded to pupils who achieve good GCSE passes in English, maths, science, a foreign language and geography. Chubb has launched an alternative called the modern baccalaureate for pupils who gain passes in eight GCSE subjects including English, maths, science and information and communications technology. Burnham called for a true baccalaureate , which would prepare young people for the modern world. He argued that the education secretary, Michael Gove, was promoting Latin and ancient Greek – two of the GCSE options in the English baccalaureate – over engineering, ICT and business studies. “I want as many children as possible to take the subjects in the English baccalaureate. But they are not right for everyone. And yet the message is clear – any school or student who doesn’t succeed is second best. As we have heard today, there is a growing grassroots rejection of Mr Gove and his elitist and divisive policies.” Burnham said free schools “can embody the comprehensive ideal”, but warned this ideal was under attack from changes to the school admissions code and the use of the English baccalaureate as a measure. Before his speech, the conference was also addressed by Yvonne Sharples, a headteacher from a school in Speke, who endeared herself to delegates by declaring: “I was never really cut out for school – I was naughty.” She praised her teachers, who “kept on nurturing me”. Her school has been turned around after going into special measures, the Ofsted term for a failing school. It has gone from 1% of children achieving five good GCSE passes, including English and maths, to 29% this summer. She criticised Gove’s decision to raise the minimum standard for secondary schools from 30% to 35% last year. “In Mr Gove’s eyes we are a failing school,” she said. “Shame on you, Michael, how dare you? 47% of my students gain English GCSE. They believe they’re the best kids in the world because that’s what we tell them.” Labour conference 2011 Andy Burnham Labour Labour conference Jeevan Vasagar guardian.co.uk
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A team of engineers harnessed to ropes began a daredevil inspection of the Washington Monument on Wednesday that will include them rappelling down the obelisk to look for damage from last month’s earthquake. (Sept. 28)
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Soccer star David Beckham talks about how his baby daughter, Harper Seven, has changed his life. (Sept. 28)
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Soccer star David Beckham talks about how his baby daughter, Harper Seven, has changed his life. (Sept. 28)
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The magical, coveted shoes of yore could be yours — for a hefty price. What’s old and rose-colored and shiny all over? If you guessed Joan Rivers, you’re out of luck. If you guessed Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (meaning you read the headline) and have about $3 million to spare, then it’s your lucky
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Is Jessica Simpson Pregnant? What Caused Jessica Simpson To Vomit? Is She Pregnant? smartcells says: RT @ baby_expert : We’re excited by reports coming in that Jessica Simpson is pregnant with her first child:… http://t.co/kIWgI4qG
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Great white shark sighted as 42-year-old man fights for life after reportedly losing parts of both legs at Fish Hoek in Cape Town A Briton has been attacked by a shark while swimming in South Africa, authorities said. The 42-year-old man is fighting for his life after the attack by a great white at Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town. Reports said the man, who is believed to live in the city, was rescued by a bystander after he ignored shark warnings to go swimming. National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesman Craig Lambinon told the South African Press Association (Sapa): “It appears he was rescued from the water by a bystander who left the scene before we could identify him. “On arrival, a 42-year-old man was found on the shore suffering complete amputation of his right leg, above the knee, and partial amputation of his left leg, below the knee.” Lambinon said the victim was believed to live in the suburb of Plumstead. He was stabilised at the scene and then airlifted to Constantiaberg medi-clinic in a critical condition. Lambinon added: “The man was conscious when paramedics attended to him on the beach, but was sedated on-scene by paramedics in their efforts to stabilise the patient.” The city of Cape Town told Sapa that, when the man entered the water, the beach was still closed. A shark flag, indicating the presence of a great white, was flying. A shark spotter stationed on the beach was warned by a spotter on the mountain that someone had entered the water. The spotter then ran to Clovelly Corner to try to get the swimmer out of the water, but the attack took place before he could reach him. Spotters had sighted the shark 90 minutes before the attack, and closed the beach. The white shark flag was raised and the siren set off. The victim of the attack was the only person in the water at the time. The beach, together with another three locally, was closed as a precaution until further notice. The shark was still in Fish Hoek Bay in the afternoon and being monitored by the spotters. South Africa Africa Marine life Wildlife guardian.co.uk
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