French President Nicolas Sarkozy will probably see the birth of the Mediterranean Union, his pre-election brainchild.
At a meeting with Sarkozy in Hannover on March 3 German Chancellor Angela Merkel has finally agreed to the union’s formation.

However, the alliance that Europe will try on is very different from what the energetic and ambitious French president suggested initially. Moreover, nobody can say how many countries will join the union and whether it will be viable at all.

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US authorities have shot dead a suspected arsonist as wildfires continue to burn across southern California.

Residents are holding their breath for a favourable weather change.

More than 9000 weary firefighters are still battling 15 fires still burning out of control after four days of blistering heat, low humidity and winds in excess of 100km/h.

Arson is being blamed for many of the fires.

Authorities, including teams of FBI agents and helicopters using infrared cameras, have been scanning bushland for suspected arsonists, with police arresting one suspect and shooting another dead.

Police said the shooting took place last night when when San Bernardino University police spotted a man in a rural area near the campus.

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A while ago, the government wanted to extradite a Muslim “British” citizen. This seemed acceptable to some people since he wasn’t really British… Now it’s a real Briton’s turn! The man will probably spend the rest of his life in a US jail because he had visited, not damaged any data, unprotected computers of the US army. Thank you Tony!

A US request to extradite a British computer hacker accused of the “biggest military hack of all time” has been granted by Home Secretary John Reid.

Gary McKinnon, who is accused of breaking into US government computer networks, has been fighting extradition since his arrest in November 2002.

His family says he has 14 days to appeal against the extradition. Mr McKinnon told the BBC he was “very worried and feeling very let down by my own government”. In May, a district judge sitting at Bow Street Magistrates’ Court in London recommended Mr McKinnon be extradited - but the final decision rested with the home secretary.

‘Order signed’

A Home Office spokesman said: “On 4 July the secretary of state signed an order for Mr McKinnon’s extradition to the United States for charges connected with computer hacking.

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Blair Refuses to Set Retirement Date

Tony Blair ruled out setting a timetable for leaving office as prime minister despite his party’s disastrous local election results, arguing Monday that he still has a mandate from voters who awarded him a third term last year.

Blair defied critics in his own party demanding he offer a systematic plan to hand over power to the next Labour leader — even as he repeated promises to stand aside before the next election.

“To state a timetable would simply paralyze the proper working of government, put at risk the necessary changes we are making for Britain and therefore damage the country. It wouldn’t end this distraction but merely take it to a new level,” [AMI: Does he really think it could be any worse without him???] Blair said at his monthly news conference.

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In the comprehensive coverage by all the media of the prime minister’s cabinet changes, there is a common thread irrespective of the political shade of the commentators, and that is of a prime minister becoming increasingly detached from the reality of his current situation.

That Tony Blair has been detached from socialism has been known for years. That he was detached from the reality of the facts – in relation to the WMD and the invasion of Iraq – is well-known. The question is, now, whether he is still simply detached or is slipping into a true – clinical – delusional state. It is often the comments of those close to someone – in this case the lobby and political correspondents – which can alert you to an individual slipping over this line.

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U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday drummed up support in NATO allies for tougher action against Iran, highlighting its apparent willingness to export nuclear technology.

Rice, who was greeted by violent protests in Athens, said a comment on Tuesday by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Iran was ready to share its nuclear knowledge was a cause for concern and showed the need for tougher diplomacy.

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Israelis Warned Before Blasts To Stay Away From Sinai

Counter-Terrorism Bureau Head Danny Arditi issued a warning to Israeli citizens just a few weeks ago to refrain from visiting any Arab country.

Speaking to Ynet, Arditi said: “The warnings in our hands lead to small organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda in one way or another. A month ago we issue a travel warning to Israelis against traveling to Egypt, including Sinai, following relatively reliable intelligence on intentions to carry out terror attacks against foreign and Israeli tourists.”

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