New York mayor defends ‘perp walk’ of IMF chief

Journalists work outside the jail at Rikers Island where International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn is being held after being denied bail subsequent to being arrested and charged on Sunday with sexually assaulting a New York hotel maid, in New York May 17, 2011. Strauss-Kahn faced growing pressure to quit as head of the IMF, both from inside the Fund and from some European officials, even as France urged no rush to judgment. Strauss-Kahn is likely to remain there at least until his next appearance in court on Friday, where his lawyers may again seek bail.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg defended his city’s police for parading a handcuffed Dominique Strauss-Kahn before the media after some French politicians voiced outrage over the IMF chief’s “perp walk”.

Freedom Tower rises above Ground Zero to take its place on the New York skyline

Almost a decade after the world watched helplessly as two of New York's most iconic landmarks were reduced to rubble, a new future has risen from the ashes at Ground Zero.

One World Trade Center, aka the Freedom Tower, has finally joined the Manhattan skyline, standing defiantly over the site of the worst terrorist atrocity to befall American soil.

Its steel frame now stands at 58 stories tall and is starting to inch above many of the skyscrapers that ring the site - with a new floor being added every week.

 Imposing: Growing at a floor a week, Freedom Tower is fast becoming a feature on New York's skyline

Defiant: Its steel frame, already clad in glass on lower floors, now stands 58 stories tall and is starting to inch above many of the skyscrapers that ring the site

New York taxi drivers to wear bulletproof vests in pilot scheme

Safety: The scheme for New York cabbies to wear bulletproof vests has been started following a fatal shooting in June

New York taxi drivers are notable for their unique yellow cabs.

But soon they could have something else to distinguish them: bulletproof vests.

A dozen Big Apple cab drivers, who have to work in suburbs with high crime-rates, have been selected to pilot the scheme.

The president of the New York Federation of Taxi Drivers, Fernando Mateo, believes the vests will provide another - potentially vital - layer of protection for drivers in high-crime areas.

Mr Mateo said there are some 300 robberies and assaults against New York taxi drivers every month.

'One shooting is a lot and whatever we can do to help improve the safety of our drivers is something that we will do,' he said.

Bulletproof: To begin with about a dozen taxi drivers will use the vests - but if the NYPD hand over their old vests, the numbers could increase soon enough

India court to rule on mosque row on Thursday

An Indian court will rule on Thursday whether Hindus or Muslims own land around a demolished mosque in northern India, a judgement haunted by memories of a 1992 riot, some of the country’s worst violence since the partition.

The verdict could add to the security worries of the government, which already has its hands full dealing with the preparations for the Commonwealth Games that are bedeviled by concerns over filthy accommodation, health and security.

A trader waits for customers as he sells photos of Hindu Gods in the Indian town of Ayodhya September 22, 2010. A court will rule this Thursday whether Hindus or Muslims own land around a demolished mosque in Ayodhya, a judgement haunted by memories of a 1992 riot.

New York by night: British photographer's astounding scenes of the Big Apple... taken from the open door of a helicopter

It is one of the most distinctive skylines on Earth.

But cloaked in a blanket of darkness, New York's numerous landmarks take on an almost ethereal quality.

Captured at night from around 1,000ft above the ground, these spectacular aerial images offer a striking portrait of one of the world's most vibrant cities, showing it as it has rarely been seen before.

Bird's eye view: Captured at night from around 1000ft above the ground, these spectacular aerial images show the city as it has rarely been seen before

Mosques to become bigger part of German life-Merkel

Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germans had for too long failed to grasp how immigration was changing their country and would have to get used to the sight of more mosques in their cities, according to a newspaper.

Germany, home to at least 4 million Muslims, has been divided in recent weeks by a debate over integration sparked by disparaging remarks about Muslim immigrants by an outspoken member of the country’s central bank.

Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel addresses a news conference

Protester who burned pages of Koran at Ground Zero mosque site is sacked from his job

A protester who burned pages of the Koran outside the site of the planned mosque near Ground Zero has been sacked from his job as a train conductor.

Derek Fenton, 39, of Bloomingdale, New Jersey, was photographed ripping up pages from the Muslim holy book and setting them alight on September 11.

He was removed from outside Park51, the site where the controversial mosque could be built, by police but was later released without charge.

But it now appears his former employer NJ Transit has taken more drastic action after confirming he had been dismissed.

A statement from the company said: 'Mr Fenton's public actions violated New Jersey Transit's code of ethics.

Defiant: Derek Fenton was moved away by police after burning pages of the Koran near the planned mosque site in New York

Salman Rushdie backs Ground Zero mosque but attacks Pastor Terry Jones for threatened Koran-burning

Salman Rushdie backs Ground Zero mosque but attacks Pastor Terry Jones for threatened Koran-burning



The controversial mosque set to be build near Ground Zero has received the backing of author Sir Salman Rushdie.

The acclaimed author who was made the subject of fatwa after publishing the book The Satanic Verses said the row was pointless - because the Twin Towers contained a mosque.

He told the New York Post: 'It's just a stupid argument. Of course they should be able to build a mosque there.'

Praising the U.S. First Amendment rights which guarantee freedom of religious belief, he also criticised Pastor Terry Jones for threatening to burn the Koran.

Support: Sir Salman Rushdie has come out in favour of the mosque but criticised Pastor Terry Jones for threatening to burn the Koran

Strong opposition: Americans travelled from across the country to participate at a rally against the mosque on the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on New York

Afghans protest Koran burning for second day

Protestors clashed with Afghan security forces on Saturday, as thousands of Afghans demonstrated for a second day, despite a U.S. pastor suspending plans to burn copies of the Koran, officials said.

The renewed protests in the war-torn country came after obscure Florida Pastor Terry Jones called off plans to burn copies of the Koran to mark the ninth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the United States.

The plans triggered outrage in Afghanistan and across the Muslim world with President Barack Obama warning the action could deeply hurt the United States abroad and endanger the lives of U.S. troops.

 Afghan protesters hold a banner near a fire during a demonstration against the planned burning of copies of the Koran by a small U.S. church, in Nangarhar province September 10, 2010. The banner reads: ''There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah''.

President Obama: 9/11 a Day to Remember Religious Tolerance - Obama: America's Enemy Is Al-Qaida, Not Islam

Muslim Scholar: Don't Build Islamic Center - Says Plans for Controversial Center Near Ground Zero Grow From "War of Ideas" Among Muslims Worldwide

A respected Muslim scholar has a message for those planning to build an Islamic center near Ground Zero in New York: It's a bad idea, and a window on sharply differing thinking among Muslims worldwide on how to best go about promoting Islam - and peace.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, in Phoenix, a former Muslim U.S. Navy Commander, wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal Friday sharply critical of the planned Islamic center, urging organizer Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf and Muslims all over the world to show compassion and understand the American separation of church and state.

Dr. Zuhdi Jasser, president of the American Islamic Forum for Democracy, in Phoenix, on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning," explaining why he opposes the proposed Islamic Center two blocks from Ground Zero in New York

Koran burning Pastor arrives in New York - Pastor's Son: 'No Quran Burning' for Now - Quran burning called off again

Florida pastor terry Jones will 'not today, not ever' burn Quran

A Florida pastor says his church will "not today, not ever" burn a Quran, even if a mosque is built near ground zero.

Pastor Terry Jones had threatened to burn the Muslim holy book on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks over plans to build an Islamic center near where terrorists brought down the World Trade Center nine years ago.

He flew to New York and appeared on NBC's "Today" show. He says that his Gainesville, Fla., church's goal was "to expose that there is an element of Islam that is very dangerous and very radical."

He tells NBC that "we have definitely accomplished that mission." He says no meeting is planned with the imam leading the center but he hopes one will take place.

A "Burn a Koran Day" banner outside his church has been taken down.

Pastor Terry Jones is surrounded by reporters as he arrives at Laguardia airport, Friday, Sept. 10, 2010 in New York

Koran Burning Pastor arrive in New York

Violent backlash across Muslim world continues as Pastor Terry Jones finally calls off 9/11 Koran-burning at church

A violent backlash spread across the Muslim world today over an American pastor’s threat to burn the Koran - even after he agreed to put it on hold.

Dozens were injured when a mob attacked a Nato compound in north Afghanistan as thousands took to the streets to condemn Pastor Terry Jones.

There were conflicting reports that one protester had been shot dead.


* Islamic leaders say plans have caused lasting damage
* Jones: 'They lied about moving Ground Zero mosque'
* Afghan protester 'shot dead outside Nato base'



Controversial: Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Centre has said that he still might burn the Koran on September 11

 
Anger: Muslims around the world have been angered by Reverend Terry Jones's desires to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks

'Army' of police to keep rival groups separate at Ground Zero 9/11 anniversary demonstrations

* Donald Trump's bid to buy into mosque site rejected

New York authorities are preparing an 'army' of police officers for large-scale rival demonstrations at Ground Zero.

Thousands of opponents and supporters of a planned 13-storey Islamic centre set to be built nearby are expected to flood the site on the site on the ninth anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

'We want to keep everyone in their corners. You don't want the opposing sides to clash,' an NYPD spokesman told the New York Post.

Anger: Previous protests have taken place by opponents of the planned mosque near Ground Zero and police have drafted in officers to deal with tomorrow's anniversary demonstration

Anti-Islam US pastor called controlling, ‘mad’

The Florida Christian preacher who has received world fame and condemnation by threatening to burn a pile of Al-Qurans demands strict obedience and unpaid labour from his tiny flock and sells used furniture out of his sanctuary, those who know him say.

He was ejected from a church he headed in Germany by his own followers. Even his daughter says she believes he has lost his mind in his fanatical crusade against Islam.

Sarah Palin slams U.S. pastor's plan to burn the Koran on 9/11 as 'provocative... like building a mosque at Ground Zero'

Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin has slammed the leader of a tiny U.S. church's plans to burn the Koran on September 11.

The conservative leader, who is the darling of the Right-wing Tea Party movement, slammed Reverend Terry Jones' plans as 'counter-productive'.

She added that the plan was 'insensitive and an unnecessary provocation - much like building a mosque at Ground Zero.'

Addressing the pastor directly on her Facebook page last night, she said his plan would 'feed the fire of caustic rhetoric and appear as nothing more than mean-spirited religious intolerance.'

Don't feed that fire,' she urged him.

Call to reconsider: Sarah Palin has called on Reverend Terry Jones to give up his plan to burn the Koran on September 11

Defiant: The Reverend Terry Jones outside his church with a sign advertising his September 11 book-burning protest

Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center burn Koran Day - Safety concern for Florida government over 9/11 Quran burn

Florida's governor is concerned about safety at home and around the world, a feeling shared by national and
world leaders, over a plan by the head of a small church to burn copies of Islam's holiest text to mark the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday he would closely monitor what happens Saturday at the Dove Outreach Center in Gainesville to try to ensure people are safe. U.S. embassies around the world will be doing the same after being ordered by the State Department to assess their security. Officials fear the burning could spark anti-American violence, including against soldiers, a concern shared by the U.S. commander in Afghanistan.



Pastor Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center speaks at a news conference in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010. Jones said that he is going forward with a plan to burn copies of the Quran at his church on Saturday, Sept. 11.

Nato chief condemns US church’s plans to burn Koran

The head of Nato today condemned a small Florida church’s plan to burn copies of the Koran on the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, saying it was disrespectful and could endanger Western troops.

The Florida-based Dove World Outreach Centre church plans to go ahead with the torching of the Koran on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the 2001 attacks against the United States by the militant Islamist group al Qaeda. The church’s plans have been the subject of an angry protest in Afghanistan on Monday and condemned by top US military commanders there.