"Europeans wake up to the fact that Israel probably is the biggest threat to world peace"

Written by Yvonne Ridley

Long gone are the days of Israel being regarded by the West as a plucky little country in danger of being driven into the sea.

And while most Europeans have now woken up to the fact that this man-made Zionist entity is probably the biggest threat to world peace, some of our American friends are still in a deep slumber over the cost of their friendship with Israel.

Of course if they really knew just how much Israel was draining the US Treasury, I think they would start to view Tel Aviv in a different light.

For instance it is one of the smallest countries in the world but it has the fourth largest army, an army that uses its weapons on women and children.

But it also ranked as one of the world's 40 wealthiest countries thanks to huge wads of US taxpayers' money which is thrown at Israel on a regular basis ... it actually works out at $50,000 dollars in aid per head of every Israeli citizen directly and indirectly.

Unbelievable but true: the Bush Administration gives more federal aid to the average Israeli citizen in one year than it gives to the average American citizen.

This expensive affair with consecutive White House administrations can be traced back to 1974 and congressional researchers have discovered that in the 15 years since then a staggering $16.4 billion dollars in US military loans were converted to grants.

Since 1992 the US has also offered an additional $2 billion dollars annually in loan guarantees ... but let's remember every single US loan to Israel is eventually written off by Congress. Now you know why it ranks 36 in the world's top economies.

But the chutzpah of Israel never fails to leave me gasping for breath. In particular I am referring to the proud, and often stated boast that it has never defaulted on a US loan. Well how the hell can you default when your 'Sugar Daddy' writes off the debt?

So all this money goes one way to Israel and there's no interest or payback ... unless you count 9/11 which is a terrible price for any civilian population to pay for its government's foreign policy.

According to Dr. Stephen Zunes, an assistant professor in the influential Department of Politics at the University of San Francisco while other countries receive aid in quarterly installments, aid to Israel since 1982 has been given in a lump sum at the beginning of the fiscal year, leaving the US government to borrow from future revenues.

Israel, he says, even lends some of this money back through US treasury bills and collects the additional interest.

In a recent report, the proessor also points out: "In addition, there is the more than $1.5 billion in private US funds that go to Israel annually in the form of $1 billion in private tax-deductible donations and $500 million in Israeli bonds. The ability of Americans to make what amounts to tax-deductible contributions to a foreign government, made possible through a number of Jewish charities, does not exist with any other country. Nor do these figures include short- and long-term commercial loans from U.S. banks, which have been as high as $1 billion annually in recent years."

Simply put, America gives around one third of its foreign aid budget to Israel even though this tiny state makes up 0.001 per cent of the world's population - put another way, it could disappear inside the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Israel's citizens are among the wealthiest in the world, on a par just about with most European countries and way ahead of other Middle East citizens including Saudis, Syrians, Jordanians and Egyptians.

And, more importantly, these people are a lot better off than many American tax payers including the 50 million plus US citizens who can not afford basic health care, or the black men in Detroit who have a lower life expectancy than their counterparts in Bangladesh. Let's not forget expectant mums either, some of the infant mortality rates are higher than in latin American countries.

Imagine if the mega bucks thrown at Israel were invested in their own US citizens instead?

Even Israeli politicians are becoming embarrassed at the huge wedge they receive from America, and have been for many years. Why else would Yossi Beilen, deputy foreign minister of Israel and a Knesset member, pose the question: "If our economic situation is better than in many of your countries, how can we go on asking for your charity?"

As I said before, most American tax payers are not aware how much of their tax revenue their government sends to Israel, but let's just go through the figures we have available:

For the fiscal year ending in September 30, 1997, the US has given Israel $6.72 billion dollars: $6.194 billion dollars falls under Israel's foreign aid allotment and $526 million dollars comes from agencies such as the Department of Commerce, the US Information Agency and the Pentagon.

The $6.72 billion dollar figure does not include loan guarantees and annual compound interest totalling $3.122 billion America coughs up on money borrowed to give to Israel.

It does not include the cost to US taxpayers of IRS tax exemptions that donors can claim when they donate money to Israeli charities. This is not chicken feed, by the way, since donors claim approximately $1 billion dollars in Federal tax deductions annually. This ultimately costs other US tax payers $280 million dollars to $390 million dollars.

When grant, loans, interest and tax deductions are added together for the fiscal year ending in September 30, 1997, the American taxpayer's special relationship with Israel cost more than $10 billion greenbacks!

Since 1949 Uncle Sam's indecent affair with Israel has cost a total of $83.205 billion dollars. The interest costs borne by US tax payers on behalf of Israel are $49.937 billion dollars, thus making the total amount of aid given to Israel since 1949 $133.132 billion dollar bills.

Woman smoker? First heart attack could kill you

Smoking is injurious to health - and more so for women. According to doctors, smoking can lead to multiple complications in women and the very first heart attack could lead to sudden death.

Praveen Aggarwal, chief cardiologist, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, New Delhi, confirms a series of heart attacks among female smokers.

Aggarwal said: "The cause of heart ailments among female smokers is much higher because women have small arteries in comparison to men. Even the first heart attack in a women smoker can cause sudden death."

Roshan Roa, senior cardiologist, Metro Hospital and Heart institute, Noida, said: "The risk of heart complications among woman smokers is twice that of a normal smoker."

"If a women is smoking from a young age then she stands a greater risk of contracting heart problems. Female smokers who use oral contraceptives risk serious after-effects, including increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as blood clots, heart attacks and strokes," Roa added.

Sanjay Mittal, also from Metro Hospital, said during pregnancy smoking increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome, learning disorders and attention deficit disorder in the child.

If a woman is in a child-bearing age and still smoking then it will have a bad effect on the child during pregnancy along with a greater risk of heart attack to the mother.

According to a new World Health Organisation (WHO) study, one in 10 women in urban India smoke or chew tobacco. The WHO report also estimates that seven percent of women in developing countries smoke compared with 48 percent men.

"Women who smoke are at a higher risk and face a number of health hazards such as heart disease and lung cancer," said K.K. Aggarwal, president, Heart Care Foundation of India.

"Women who quit smoking have a 21 percent lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease within five years of quitting smoking. The risks of dying from other conditions also decline after quitting, although the period varies depending on the disease. For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, it may take up to 20 years," he said.

According to a study, smoking leads to greater risk of developing cervix and vulvar cancers. Nineteen percent of cervical and 40 percent of vulvar cancer are caused by smoking.

Harmful affects of smoking for women:

- Smoking greatly increases risk of heart disease and stroke.

- Smoking causes interruptions in menstrual cycle and induces quicker menopause.

- Smoking causes pre-term delivery, low birth weight, miscarriage, and neonatal death.

- Children born to smoking mothers experience more colds, ear aches, respiratory problems, illnesses.

- Smoking affects fertility.

- Female smokers are more susceptible to osteoporosis.

- Smoking causes more breathing difficulties in women than in men.

Politicians on campaign trail seek votes - and doctors

Nakshab Khan
New Delhi Electioneering in 40 degrees Celsius-plus temperatures is sending an increasing number of politicians to health checkup clinics, say doctors, though the candidates themselves are loath to admit it.
Long hours of campaigning in this summer and reduced sleep make politicians prone to heart attacks, doctors say. As an example, they point to 50-year-old Indrajit Purakait, a Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader, who lost the district council elections in West Bengal in 2008. Unable to bear the shock, Purakait had a heart attack and died. His experience should serve as a warning to other politicians, the doctors say.

At least some politicians are taking the warning seriously. Haji Mohammed Yunus, who is contesting on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket against sitting MP Sandeep Dikshit in the East Delhi constituency, told IANS: “I have been campaigning for long hours in the scorching heat which takes away all energy. Just before starting the campaign trail I had visited a doctor for a health checkup.”

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee president Jai Prakash Aggarwal, contesting from the Northeast Delhi constituency, has been taking care of his health by going on morning walks and keeping a check on his diet.

“Though I don’t visit a doctor for any regular health checkup, I do make sure to go for an early morning walk and to have a good night’s sleep. I am also keeping a check on my diet,” Aggarwal told IANS.

K.K. Aggarwal, senior cardiologist at Moolchand Medcity, said: “Due to the hectic pre-poll campaigning which requires long-distance walking, many candidates are reporting for checkups related to heart, blood pressure and diabetes.”

Aggarwal, who is also president of the Heart Care Foundation of India, says that candidates should meditate and also practise yoga to reduce stress.

Said Sanjay Mittal, senior cardiologist, Metro Hospitals and Heart Institute, Noida: “During the election period contestants are very cautious about their health and report for health checkups because they have to cover long distances on foot for campaigning. Those who are heart patients are feeling the brunt of poll stress.”

Many political leaders in the country are suffering from one health problem or the other. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had heart bypass surgery this January. Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit also had bypass surgery in 2001. Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan underwent angioplasty in 2005 to clear a blockage in a cardiac artery.

Varun Gandhi- A Lumpen Goon

By swearing with Gita, a sacred scripture of Hinduism, Varun Gandhi who may also be called a bright lumpeen goon, an ugly politician with no mass base besides associating himself with a rabid communal party has vowed to " CUT HEADS" of Muslims.


It's no surprise that Varun has on a wild rant against muslims becoz his father Sanjay Gandhi was too a person of imbecile personality which was evident from his Forced vasectomy campaign launched agaainst MUslims of this great Nation besides destructing homes of millions of Slum Dwellers in Delhi alone.


You may call it as his desperation to get quick recognition as no knows him well in the country in comparision to the Future Prime Mnister and a real Gandhi family scion Rahul Gandhi.


It is his envy and frustation that he is demonising Muslims only to get some naked publicity and some cheap votes by creating hatred and fear of Muslims in the Majority community.

Talaq via SMS, email un-Islamic, say Muslim scholars

By Nakshab Khan

New Delhi, March 15 It's a quickie way to divorce that is catching up - saying 'talaq' through SMS or email. Former Haryana deputy chief minister Chander Mohan alias Chand Mohammed is the latest to use digital means to say talaq to his estranged second wife Fiza. But Muslim scholars have termed it "unacceptable" and say there is no concept of instant divorce in Islam.

Chand Mohammed sent a terse "talaq, talaq, talaq" mobile SMS to Fiza from London and also called her up to repeat the message Friday night.

"I got an SMS from Chand on my mobile phone on Friday in which he had written 'talaq' three times. Immediately after that, I got a call from him and he reiterated that he has given talaq to me," Fiza told mediapersons in Chandigarh.

According to a study 'Marriage and divorce amongst Muslim women in India', conducted by Sabiha Hussain of the Centre for Dalit and Minorities at Jamia Millia Islamia, at least 15 such divorces were pronounced via SMS, email and phone in 2008.

"It is a case study of 30 divorced women conducted in Delhi's Jamia Nagar, Seelampuri and several districts in Bihar including Darbhanga, Madhubani, Gaya," said Hussain.

Akhtarul Wasey, head of department of Islamic studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, said: "There is no concept of instant divorce in Islam and giving it through digital means has no validity.

Any divorce should only be allowed through Darul Quaza (Islamic court) or shariat panchayat, and there should be a witness from both the bride's and groom's sides. Divorce in absentia of either husband or wife does not hold any authenticity."

All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board (AIMWPLB) president Shaista Amber said: "Giving divorce through modern gadgets like phone, SMS or email is purely illogical and invalid."

"This kind of pronouncement of talaq does not hold any authenticity," Amber told IANS.

"The Quran has specifically laid down norms for 'nikah' (marriage) and 'talaq'. In both cases, witness from both sides is a must. Then how can one ascertain the presence of a witness when technologies like SMS, phones or emails are being used," she said.

"Such technologies can be misused, manipulated and doctored. Hence the Quran has never validated divorce or marriage through digital means," she added.

"It is very sad to see people misusing and misinterpreting Islamic laws. We need to educate the Muslim community more about the sanctity of marriage as an institution," Syed Junaid, a journalist who has studied Islamic history, told IANS.

The model nikahnama (marriage contract) released by AIMWPLB clearly rejects any divorce through SMS, email, phone or video conferencing or divorce done on provocation or by husband pronouncing talaq in an inebriated condition.

Third Front will ruin prospects of BJP and Congress: D Raja

Nakshab Khan and Pranshu Negi

New Delhi, March 15: "BJP and Congress are not born to rule this country and both the parties do not represent India in totality", said CPI national secretary D Raja while speaking to IANS over the prospects of third front.

"There are new social classes and forces that are emerging which are not represented by BJP and Congress. We are confident that Third Front will ruin prospects of both BJP and Congress. And that's whyboth BJP and Congress are jittery. Third Front is a better choice for the people of this country", he added.

D Raja accused both parties (BJP and Congress) of deviating from their basic values. "Both the parties are in total crisis and it's not only political or ideological, it's also a moral crisis. Congress claims to be an 'aam aadmi' govt but it has nothing to do with the 'aam aadmi'. It has failed to address the issues of livelihood of the common man. On the other hand BJP is a communal party which thinks that it can make electoral gains by dividing people on basis of religion."

He also criticized Congress-led UPA government for signing nuclear deal with United States and moving India closer to US administration. "Nuclear cooperation between US and India is more than building strategic partnership. The deal has increasingly threatened the sovereignty of India", he told IANS.

He further elaborated on the effects of economic slowdown that Indo-US nuclear deal is going to face in future, and wondered as to how the US is going to invest in nuclear business when the whole nation is currently in the throes of grave financial crisis.

"The whole US is in financial crisis and I don't see the possibility of US investing in nuclear business," he said.

Talking about the first commercial pact signed with French company Areva to build atomic power plants in India, D Raja argued that how it would be possible for France or other nation to build such reactors when the recession has affected the West in a severe manner.

When asked whether CPI would join hands with Congress after general elections to fend off BJP from coming to power, Raja cleverly steered clear of this issue by saying, "Let the election be over". However, he didn't deny the possibility of joining hands with the Congress in wake of hung Parliament to restrain BJP from gaining power.

When asked about CPI's stance on Samajwadi Party after the latter chose to go with nuclear deal overlooking the former, Raja clearly said, "We have no common ground with Samajwadi Party. During Presidential election, SP went with BJP to elect APJ Abdul Kalam while during the trust vote on N-deal they voted in favour of Congress-led UPA government.

However, he approved BSP's ideology and politics describing it as a fight against social oppression.

When asked that CPI is against BJP for its alleged communal politics then why it has no problem in joining hands with BSP- a party based on caste politics, he said, "BSP is not a castiest party. Mayawati (BSP president) does not represent a caste but the deprived sections of the society."

"Do you think if somebody speaks for 'Dalits', it is casteism", Raja questioned.

"Politically, UP CM Mayawati is closer to us since she is fighting both the Congress and BJP, which I think is a positive sign," he added.

Reacting over the Sri Lankan Tamil issue, D Raja who himself is a Tamil and a Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, accused the Indian government of supplying arms to Sri Lankan forces for fighting LTTE. "Indian government has no clear policy over the Tamil issue," he said.

However, he expressed his concerns over the issue. "We are very much concerned on this, and have formed a movement called 'Sri Lankan Tamil Protection Movement' along with other political groups in Tamil Nadu."

Kalyan Singh may derail ties with Samajwadi Party: Congress

Nakshab Khan

New Delhi, Jan 31: The Congress is all set for a tie-up with the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh, but it will "take appropriate action" if the latter admits to its fold former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kalyan Singh who presided over the razing of the Babri mosque.

This is the view of Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad, who is also minister of state for home affairs.

Speaking to IANS, Ahmad rejected Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav's comments that Kalyan Singh was not to blame for the Babri mosque demolition, which took place when the then BJP leader was Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

If Kalyan Singh contests or officially joins the Samajwadi Party, the Congress "will take appropriate action", Ahmad said.

"Kalyan is responsible for the Babri demolition and we still believe that the central (security) forces sent to Ayodhya (in December 1992) were not utilised effectively by the state government," he said.

"Till now Kalyan has not joined the Samajwadi Party. But if he joins it officially or contests election on the Samajwadi Party ticket, we will talk to Samajwadi Party leaders about it."

But he said the Congress had no problem with Kalyan Singh's son joining the Samajwadi Party.

Citing the Scindia family, where the political loyalties of the mother and son were divided between the BJP and the Congress, Ahmad said that "communal and secular beings could co-exist in a family".

At the same time, the Congress spokesman said that his party was confident of the Samajwadi Party putting up a good showing in the upcoming parliamentary elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Ahmad was asked if the Congress would ditch the Samajwadi Party in case the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati bagged more seats in Uttar Pradesh.

"The Samajwadi Party is our ally and will do well in Uttar Pradesh," he said. But he quickly added that the Congress would also emerge as a strong force in the state that accounts for 80 Lok Sabha seats.

"It's time for all secular forces to unite against communal politics. The Samajwadi-Congress alliance will help both the parties."

Ahmad said the move by Hindi film star Sanjay Dutt, brother of Congress MP Priya Dutt, to join the Samajwadi Party and contest from Lucknow was an "individual decision".

He denied Sanjay Dutt's allegations that the Congress did not help him during his bad times -- when he was in prison.

"When Sanjay was in jail, his father was with the Congress. Sunil Dutt knew more about what was happening outside. I feel it could be Sanjay's misconception that the Congress disappointed him," said Ahmad.

With Lok Sabha elections only months away, Ahmad said none of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) partners could bid for the post of prime minister in the coalition.

As the largest party in the alliance, the Congress "will occupy the top post", he said.

Would the Congress change its allies post-election like it did this time in Jammu and Kashmir, ditching the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and embracing the National Conference.

Ahmad said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was different.

"There the PDP betrayed us. The proposal for land transfer to the Amarnath Shrine Board was approved with the consent of senior PDP leaders. But when protests started against it, instead of taking collective responsibility, the PDP created an issue out of it and led to the fall of (Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi) Azad's government," he explained.

What about the DMK's reported threat to quit the Congress-led UPA over Sri Lankan Tamils?

Ahmad said the Congress-led Indian government was "deeply concerned" about the safety of civilians, especially Tamils. "That is very much evident with the visit of (External Affairs Minister) Pranab Mukherjee to Sri Lanka."

He rejected reports that the DMK was sympathetic to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

"LTTE is a banned terrorist organisation and its chief (Velupillai) Prabhakaran is an accused in the assassination of our leader (and former prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi," he added.