lifestyle leader

The NYT provides important context to the Swiss vote in favor of a constitutional amendment banning new minarets:

Of 150 mosques or prayer rooms in Switzerland, only 4 have minarets, and only 2 more minarets are planned. None conduct the call to prayer. There are about 400,000 Muslims in a population of some 7.5 million people. Close to 90 percent of Muslims in Switzerland are from Kosovo and Turkey, and most do not adhere to the codes of dress and conduct associated with conservative Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia, said Manon Schick, a spokeswoman for Amnesty International in Switzerland.

The Lede looks at the reaction around Europe.

Politique
-Divisions emerge within Europe over EU rescue packages.

-The Sri Lankan cricket team came under attack in Pakistan, with six police officers killed.

-The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir for crimes against humanity in Darfur.

-UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited the White House and addressed a joint session of the US Congress. Then a bit of a row broke out (ok, within the British press) over the Obama's not-so-thoughtful gifts to the Browns.

Economia
-The Bank of England slashed rates to 0.5%, and embarked upon "quantitative easing."

-The US government pumped an additional $30bn into AIG.

-China's anticipated additional stimulus announcement came, and went, with no stimulus.

The Rest
-Arsenal, ManU and Chelsea go through in the FA Cup. Becks, Milan and LA Galaxy reach tentative deal to keep the England international at the San Siro until the end of the season, and possibly beyond. Becks reportedly put up his own cash to ensure his stay in Milan.

-Really, Medvedev? Really?

-Paris Fashion Week.