The Iron Lady, Review
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Meryl Streep's performance in The Iron Lady is astonishing, writes Robbie Collin.


“One of the great problems of our age is that we’re governed by people who care more about feelings than they do about thoughts and ideas,” says Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. “Now, thoughts and ideas – that’s what interests me.” It’s a pivotal line in director Phyllida Lloyd and screenwriter Abi Morgan’s absorbing, exhilarating biopic of the United Kingdom’s only female prime minister, but the film itself doesn’t agree. The Iron Lady does not pick over thoughts and ideas for an hour and 45 minutes: Lloyd and Morgan are fascinated by who their subject was and is, and rather less by what she stood, and continues to stand for. Personality politics might have been anathema to Margaret Thatcher MP, but this film is propelled by the sheer power of her presence. Read on and comment » | Robbie Collin | Thursday, January 05, 2012

Egypt’s Salafi Surge

FOREIGN POLICY: These guys make the Muslim Brotherhood look like latte liberals.

MANSOURA, Egypt — It's the morning of the third and final round of Egypt's parliamentary elections and Ammar Fayed, an activist for the Muslim Brotherhood's political party, is nervous as hell.

The 28-year-old marketing manager, who sits on the executive board of the youth branch of the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) in the governorate of Dakahlia, sports a tiny FJP pin on the lapel of his gray blazer and a thumb stained blue from voting. He explains the situation: Thirty-six seats are up for grabs in this province in the fertile Nile Delta. The conservative region is in the Brotherhood's heartland -- it should have been a cakewalk.

There's just one problem, Fayed admits: "We made a fundamental miscalculation."

The Brotherhood has found itself outflanked on the right by the Salafi al-Nour Party, which has challenged the movement's religious credentials and gained a surprising degree of traction in the process. The Salafis appear poised to claim between 25 and 30 percent of the vote, though the Brotherhood could still win an outright majority and will certainly become the largest party in the new parliament.

Who could have predicted that the Salafis -- adherents to a fundamentalist version of Islam that until Egypt's revolution eschewed politics as un-Islamic -- would morph into an electoral powerhouse? Even the Brotherhood, whose vote-counting abilities would impress the likes of Karl Rove, never saw it coming, and the Salafis' success threatens to upend the movement's carefully laid plans for dominating Egypt's post-revolutionary political scene. » | Sarah A. Topol | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Iran Clamps Down on Internet Use

THE GUARDIAN: Restrictions on cybercafes and plans to launch national internet prompt fears users could be cut off from world wide web

Iran is clamping down heavily on web users before parliamentary elections in March with draconian rules on cybercafes and preparations to launch a national internet.

Tests for a countrywide network aimed at substituting services run through the world wide web have been carried out by Iran's ministry of information and communication technology, according to a newspaper report. The move has prompted fears among its online community that Iran intends to withdraw from the global internet.

The police this week imposed tighter regulations on internet cafes. Cafe owners have been given a two-week ultimatum to adopt rules requiring them to check the identity cards of their customers before providing services.

"Internet cafes are required to write down the forename, surname, name of the father, national identification number, postcode and telephone number of each customer," said an Iranian police statement, according to the news website Tabnak.

"Besides the personal information, they must maintain other information of the customer such as the date and the time of using the internet and the IP address, and the addresses of the websites visited. They should keep these informations for each individuals for at least six months."

In recent weeks, users in Iran have complained of a significant reduction in internet speed, reported the reformist newspaper, Roozegar, which has recently resumed publication after months of closure. The newspaper said it appeared to be the result of testing the national internet. » | Saeed Kamali Dehghan | Thursday, January 05, 2012

Hosni Mubarak: Egypt Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty
BBC: Prosecutors at the trial of former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak have demanded he be given the death penalty.

Mr Mubarak is being tried in Cairo on charges of ordering the killing of protesters during unrest which led to his overthrow in February.

"The law foresees the death penalty for premeditated murder," prosecutor Mustafa Khater said, AFP reports.

The demand also applies for former Interior Minister Habib el-Adly and six other former security chiefs.

Mr Mubarak's two sons, one-time heir apparent Gamal and Alaa, face corruption charges in the same trial.

"How could the president of the republic not be aware of the demonstrations that broke out on January 25th?", chief prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman asked, according to AFP.

Mr Suleiman went on to argue that the then interior minister Habib el-Adly, who is also on trial, could "not have given the order to fire on demonstrators without having been instructed to do so by Mubarak." » | Thursday, January 05, 2012

Maldives President Orders All Spas to Be Reopened

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The president of the Maldives has ordered the country's upscale resorts to reopen their spas pending a Supreme Court decision on whether they violate Islam – just days after they were shut under pressure from protesters.

The court decision could be critical to the tourism-dependent island nation's economic future.

"The government has decided we will open all spas and give all the services to tourists which we have been giving before," said President Mohammed Nasheed.

"The tour operators were very worried" about the closure, he said.

Last week, authorities ordered all spas to close following a protest in the capital on Dec 23 in which thousands of people called for a halt to "anti-Islamic" activities including spas.

The protesters also demanded that authorities halt the sale of alcohol on islands inhabited by local people, stop plans to allow direct flights from Israel, and demolish statues given by other countries to commemorate a South Asian summit in November which they saw as idols. Read on and comment » | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Ed Miliband 'Has No Strategy as Leader’

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Ed Miliband has shown “no strategy, no narrative and little energy” as Labour leader and failed to “break through” with voters, one of his closest political allies has said.

Lord Glasman, a political theorist who has advised Mr Miliband, passed a damning verdict on his performance as Labour leader, saying he is losing the argument with the Coalition on the economy.

The peer said Labour was in thrall to “old faces” from Gordon Brown’s era committed to the former prime minister’s economic policies.

“On the face of it, these look like bad times for Labour and for Ed Miliband’s leadership,” Lord Glasman said. “There seems to be no strategy, no narrative and little energy. » | James Kirkup, Deputy Political Editor | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Argentine President Cristina Kirchner's Cancer Operation 'Successful'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner has been successfully operated on for thyroid cancer.

Presidential spokesman Alfredo Scoccimarro said that Mrs Kirchner was recovering well after her three-and-a-half hour operation.

“The surgery on President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was carried out without any complication,” he said, adding that she will remain in hospital for about 72 hours.

The government last week announced her diagnosis of papillary carcinoma, detected during a routine medical checkup just before Christmas.

Tests suggested it had not spread beyond her thyroid, so the condition should be curable without chemotherapy, doctors said. They added that the 58-year-old president has a better than 90 per cent chance of recovery. » | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Allow Assisted Suicide for Those with Less Than a Year to Live

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Doctors should be allowed to help terminally ill patients kill themselves – but only if they have less than a year to live, under proposals published in a major report today.

The independent Commission on Assisted Dying, whose members include several prominent peers and medics, wants GPs to be able to prescribe lethal doses of medication for dying people to take themselves.

The report, published today, calls for the “inadequate and incoherent” law against assisted suicide to be scrapped following a series of high profile cases where patients have used the Dignitas suicide clinic to take their own lives.

Although helping someone to die is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment and police still investigate all cases, there have been no prosecutions since landmark guidelines were set out almost two years ago.

The Commission says the situation is “very distressing” for families, “uncertain” for health workers and place a “deeply challenging burden” on police and prosecutors.

Under its plans, doctors would be allowed to prescribe drugs to end the lives of terminally ill patients who have fewer than 12 months to live provided they are judged to have the mental capacity and clear desire to die.

If implemented, it could mean more than 1,000 people a year being helped to die in England and Wales. » | Martin Beckford, Social Affairs Editor | Thursday, January 05, 2012

Norway Killer Anders Behring Breivik 'Is Not Psychotic'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Prison psychiatrists in Norway have ruled that mass killer Anders Behring Breivik is not psychotic and has not been put on medication, contradicting earlier reports of insanity.

The original finding by two court-appointed psychiatrists has been fiercely debated by mental health experts and several lawyers representing the victims of the massacre. Families of the victims have demanded the Oslo District Court order a second evaluation. Breivik has confessed to the murder of 77 people in July. In November he was declared insane.

However, despite the psychiatrists views, prosecutor Svein Holden in a letter to the court said he would not seek another evaluation.

Breivik has recently been given access to media in prison and could try to manipulate new experts in ways that would be favourable to him, he said.

Prosecutors say they would rather let experts testify at the forthcoming trial. » | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Mahomet: Nouvel Obs interdit au Maroc
LE FIGARO: Le Maroc a bloqué la distribution de l'hebdomadaire français Le Nouvel Observateur qui a publié un dossier sur le monde arabe comportant notamment une représentation du visage du prophète Mahomet, proscrite par la tradition musulmane. Cette décision intervient quelques jours après l'interdiction de l'hebdomadaire français l'Express, qui avait publié un dossier de 95 pages sur l'islam, dans lequel le visage du prophète Mohamet était également reproduit. » | AFP | mercredi 04 janvier 2012

HT: Islam versus Europe »

L’EXPRESS: Mahomet: interdiction de l'hebdomadaire français le Nouvel Observateur au Maroc – RABAT - Le Maroc a bloqué la distribution de l'hebdomadaire français Le Nouvel Observateur qui a publié un dossier sur le monde arabe comportant notamment une représentation du visage du prophète Mahomet, proscrite par la tradition musulmane, a-t-on appris mercredi auprès des autorités. » | AFP | mercredi 04 janvier 2012

Sarkozy Outrage at Hollande's 'Nasty Piece of Work' Jibe
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: President Nicolas Sarkozy's party allies demanded a public apology from his main electoral opponent after he reportedly branded him a "nasty piece of work".

Francois Hollande, the opposition Socialist candidate currently on course to beat Mr Sarkozy in April's election, allegedly called the president a "sale mec", which roughly translates as a "nasty piece of work".

He made the remark in a supposedly off-the-record briefing for reporters on Tuesday, but a truncated version of his jibe was revealed in the daily Le Parisien.

Although dismissed as being taken out of context by the Socialist camp, a cohort of outraged Sarkozy allies seized on the "insult".

Dominique Dord, treasurer of Sarkozy's UMP party, described the reported comment as "revolting" and said that Mr Hollande should pull out of the presidential race, little more than 100 days before the election.

"We are all deeply shocked," said the head of Sarkozy's UMP party, Jean-Francois Cope.

"This is not the standard expected of a presidential candidate," said government minister Nadine Morano, one of many other UMP party members to pounce on the reported comment. "I demand a public apology."

Le Parisien reported the term as an insult, but others present at the lunch said it was not a direct attack but part of an imagined dialogue in which Mr Hollande played Mr Sarkozy. » | Henry Samuel, Paris | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Mitt Romney on Caucus Night

Mitt Romney: Mister Glückskind

SPIEGEL ONLINE: Mitt Romney hat die Vorwahlen in Iowa nur hauchdünn gewonnen, doch die Präsidentschafts-Kandidatur der Republikaner ist ihm wohl kaum noch zu nehmen. Er profitiert von der Schwäche seiner Rivalen - genau das könnte ihm beim Kampf gegen ein anderes politisches Glückskind schaden: Barack Obama.

Amerikaner glauben, dass jeder Mensch seines Glückes Schmied ist. Aber ihre Präsidenten sind manchmal einfach Glückskinder. Barack Obama, ein relativ unerfahrener Ex-Sozialarbeiter, Hochschullehrer und Senator, gewann die Wahl 2008 nur dank einer Trias glücklicher Zufälle: Parteirivalin Hillary Clinton unterschätzte den jungen Parteifreund, Amerikaner ersehnten nach den Bush-Jahren "Change" - und Republikaner-Gegner John McCain entpuppte sich als sehr schwacher Wahlkämpfer.

Obamas Aufstieg begann im Schnee von Iowa, und jetzt ist dort erneut ein politisches Glückskind zu bestaunen: Mitt Romney, Sieger der republikanischen Vorwahlen in dem winzigen Agrarstaat. Dabei hat Romney die Abstimmung nicht einmal deutlich gewonnen, hauchdünn landete er am Dienstagabend vor seinem Parteifreund Rick Santorum, einem Liebling der religiösen Rechten.

Dennoch wird Romney wohl bald schon Obamas offizieller Herausforderer, weil er bestens präpariert die kommenden Abstimmungen in South Carolina und Florida angeht - ganz anders als Santorum, der bislang fast ausschließlich in Iowa um Stimmen buhlte. Anders auch als der Drittplatzierte Ron Paul, ein Idol der Jungen und der Radikalen, der Amerika keine Kriege mehr führen lassen möchte und die US-Notenbank abschaffen will.

Romney, der Ex-Gouverneur von Massachusetts, hat auf seinen Krönungsmoment lange hingearbeitet, er ist seit einem halben Jahrzehnt professioneller Präsidentschaftskandidat. Er ist auch ein besserer Bewerber als bei seinem ersten Anlauf 2008. Damals erschien er vielen Wählern noch wie ein Polit-Roboter.

Aber Romney ist vor allem ein Glückskind, und ihm helfen wie Obama drei glückliche Umstände: Weiter lesen und einen Kommentar schreiben » | Ein Kommentar von Gregor Peter Schmitz, Des Moines | Mittwoch 04. Januar 2012

Frankreich errichtet ersten Friedhof für Muslime

WELT ONLINE: In Straßburg entsteht derzeit ein städtischer Friedhof für Muslime. Für den Friedhof hat die Stadt rund 800.000 Euro bereitgestellt.

Erstmals in Frankreich erhalten die Muslime einen eigenen städtischen Friedhof. Der Friedhof, der in Straßburg entsteht, werde im Laufe des Januars offiziell eröffnet, sagte die zuständige stellvertretende Bürgermeisterin Anne-Pernelle Richardot.

Das Gelände ist einen Hektar groß und bietet Platz für rund tausend Gräber. Eine kleine Halle am Eingang soll den vorgeschriebenen rituellen Waschungen dienen. Rund 800.000 Euro bereitgestellt » | AFP/mcz | Mittwoch 04. Januar 2012

Hasstirade aus Nordkorea: "Südkoreas Präsident ist ein faschistischer Irrer"

WELT ONLINE: Nordkorea schimpft: Der südkoreanische Präsident Lee Myung-bak sei ein "proamerikanischer faschistischer Irrer", weil er seine Truppen in Alarmbereitschaft versetzt hat.

Nordkorea hat den südkoreanischen Präsidenten Lee Myung-bak als "proamerikanischen faschistischen Irren" und "Häuptling der Übel" bezeichnet.

Grund dafür ist die Entscheidung Lees, die südkoreanischen Truppen nach dem Tod des langjährigen nordkoreanischen Machthabers Kim Jong-il in höchste Alarmbereitschaft zu versetzen.

Die nordkoreanischen Streitkräfte würden Südkorea dazu zwingen, einen Preis für die Aktion zu zahlen, hieß es in einer Erklärung des Komitees für die friedliche Wiedervereinigung Koreas, die von der amtlichen Nachrichtenagentur KCNA verbreitet wurde.

Seit Lee nach seinem Amtsantritt 2008 die bedingungslosen Hilfslieferungen an den verarmten Norden einstellte, ist er immer wieder Ziel scharfer Kritik der nordkoreanischen Behörden gewesen, [sic] » | dapd/dpa/mcz | Mittwoch 04. Januar 2012

Michele Bachmann Drops Out of GOP Race
CBS NEWS: WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- In the wake of a disappointing finish in Tuesday's Iowa caucuses, Rep. Michele Bachmann announced Wednesday that she is suspending her campaign for president.

"Last night, the people of Iowa spoke with a very clear voice, and so I have decided to stand aside," she said at a hastily-arranged news conference here.

"I have no regrets," she added. "None whatsoever. We never compromised our principles." She said she "looks forward to the next chapter in God's plan."

Bachmann did not endorse another candidate.

Bachmann, a third-term Minnesota congressman and the founder of the Tea Party caucus in the House, won the support of just five percent of Iowa Republican caucus-goers Tuesday. She finished in sixth place in the caucuses, which was essentially last place among the major contenders, since Jon Huntsman did not contest the state. » | Brian Montopoli | Wednesday, January 04, 2012

'Destroying Democracy': Hungarians Protest Controversial New Constitution

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Tens of thousands of Hungarians took to the streets of Budapest on Monday night to protest the country's new constitution, which took effect on Jan. 1. The document, in combination with other recent laws, severely curtails the independence of the country's central bank and courts. Religious rights have also been slashed.

"Viktor Orban. Dictator!" read one sign. "Enough!" screamed another. "Hey Europe, sorry about my prime minister," said a third. And there were hundreds more on Monday night in Budapest as tens of thousands of people gathered in front of the city's famous opera house to protest against the country's controversial new constitution, which went into effect on Jan. 1.

"The prime minister took an oath to defend the constitution, but instead he overthrew it," said Laszlo Majtenyi, the former head of the country's media authority, at the rally. "Tonight, the Opera is the home of hypocrisy and the street the home of constitutional virtues."

The crowd gathered outside as inside Prime Minister Viktor Orban and other leading government officials celebrated the new Basic Law inside the opera. Hungarian President Pal Schmitt defended the document, saying that his countrymen should be proud of it. "The constitution was born of a wide consultation, building on national and European values," he said in a speech at the celebration. "Our Basic Law defines the family, order, the home, work and health as the most important, shared scale of values."

The passage of the new constitution marks the crowning achievement of Orban's center-right Fidesz party, 18 months into its rule. The party won 53 percent of the vote in the spring of 2010, resulting in 68 percent of the seats in parliament, enough to radically change Hungary's legal landscape. Since then, according to Kim Lane Scheppele, director of Princeton University's Program in Law and Public Affairs and a long-time observer of Hungary, Fidesz has passed 359 laws. » | cgh -- with wire reports | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

German President Urged to Resign over Threats to Newspaper Editor

THE GUARDIAN: Christian Wulff under pressure over warning to Bild editor about 'judicial consequences' of printing story about his finances

Germany's president, Christian Wulff, is facing growing pressure to stand down following damaging revelations that he tried to browbeat the editor of the country's top tabloid to kill an unflattering story about him.

Germany's press were united in their condemnation of Wulff after it emerged on Monday that he had threatened the editor of Bild, Kai Diekmann.

In a furious voicemail message, Wulff told Diekmann there would be "war" unless he spiked an article on the president's personal finances.

Wulff, a key ally of Angela Merkel, the chancellor, and a Christian Democrat like her, accepted a large private loan from the wife of a wealthy businessman.

Although the arrangement was made before Wulff became president in 2010, it has fuelled claims that he lacks the personal judgment needed for the job.

In December Bild discovered that Wulff had taken a €500,000 (£420,000) loan from the wife of a close friend, Egon Geerkens, at an interest rate of 4% – 1% below the usual bank rate.

After discovering Bild was about to publish, Wulff tried unsuccessfully to reach Diekmann, who was away on a trip. He then left him a long, haranguing message, threatening "judicial consequences" and a "definitive breach" in relations with Bild's publishing group, Axel Springer. Two days later Wulff phoned back from a tour in the Gulf to apologise. Wulff, who took over the largely ceremonial role in June 2010, faced further embarrassing questions about his behaviour when another Springer newspaper, the Welt am Sonntag, revealed he had summoned one of its veteran reporters to a dressing down at his presidential residence. Wulff had taken umbrage at a forthcoming interview with his little-known half-sister.

The influential FT Deutschland newspaper called on Wulff to resign. The Süddeutsche newspaper described his dealings with the media as "naive and brazen", observing coldly: "The office is obviously too big for Wulff." » | Luke Harding | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Related here and here

Romney Wins Iowa Nail-biter
LOS ANGELES TIMES: He edges Santorum, with Paul a strong third. Perry's fate is all but sealed with a fifth-place finish.

Reporting from Des Moines— In the closest finish in the history of the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney edged out Rick Santorum by eight votes in the first battle for the Republican presidential nomination.

A distant fifth-place finish apparently ended the once-promising candidacy of Rick Perry. The Texas governor, who started as a prime contender for the nomination last summer, broke off plans to fly to South Carolina for more campaigning, and said he was returning home instead to "determine whether this is a path forward."

Santorum rode a late-breaking burst of support after getting counted out by virtually everyone until the final days of a long campaign. His Iowa comeback represented a drastic reversal from his last election night, a 17-point reelection drubbing in 2006.

"Thank you so much, Iowa," said the former Pennsylvania senator, who swapped his trademark sweater vest for a coat and tie to address jubilant supporters in a Des Moines suburb.

The victory strengthened Romney's candidacy heading into next Tuesday's New Hampshire primary, where he enjoys a big lead in the polls and a victory would provide momentum to make him the clear favorite to become the GOP nominee. » | Paul West, Washington Bureau | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Mitt Romney Wins Iowa by Eight Votes
Mitt Romney beat Rick Santorum by just eight votes in Iowa - the tightest finish in the Republican party's history in the state. Romney won 30,015 votes and Santorum 30,007 after a record turnout of 122,225. Ron Paul came third. The biggest loser was Rick Perry, with only 5% of the vote

Mitt Romney Attacks Obama on Economy During Iowa Caucus Day
Republican presidential frontrunner Mitt Romney targeted Barack Obama on economic issues on Iowa caucus day, as the former Massachusetts governor vowed to 'get America working again'.

L'Arabie saoudite ignore la demande de Tunis d'extrader Ben Ali

TRIBUNE DE GENÈVE: Le tribunal militaire de Tunis a reporté mardi au 10 janvier le procès intenté contre l'ex-président tunisien Ben Ali et une quarantaine de hauts responsables du régime.

«Nous avons demandé à deux reprises son extradition, mais nous n'avons pas reçu de réponses», a expliqué le président du tribunal militaire de Tunis, Hédi Ayari, aux avocats qui l'interrogeaient sur les efforts tunisiens pour faire revenir Ben Ali d'Arabie Saoudite.

Ce procès, reporté pour la deuxième fois, porte sur leurs rôles dans la mort de 43 manifestants et la blessure de 97 autres dans le gouvernorat de Tunis et autres villes au nord du pays comme Bizerte et Nabeul, lors des soulèvements datés d'une année en Tunisie. Continuez à lire et écrire un commentaire » | ATS/AFP/Newsnet | mercredi 04 janvier 2012

Ein Präsident, der "von allen guten Geistern verlassen" ist

DIE PRESSE: Um den deutschen Bundespräsidenten Christian Wulff wird es langsam sehr einsam: Die Medien trommeln gegen ihn, viele mit deftigen Worten, Politiker rücken von ihm ab - und jetzt tauchen neue Vorwürfe auf.

Berlin. Das Schloss der deutschen Bundespräsidenten heißt Bellevue, zur schönen Aussicht. Gar nicht schön sind die Aussichten für Amtsinhaber Christian Wulff. Zu Wochenbeginn wurde bekannt, dass er „Bild“-Redakteuren per Anruf auf die Mobilbox des Chefredakteurs mit Strafanzeigen gedroht hat, um das Erscheinen eines Bericht über Ungereimtheiten bei der Finanzierung seines Hauskaufs zu verhindern. Am Dienstag zeigte sich die schreibende Zunft geschlossen solidarisch mit den Kollegen vom großen Boulevardblatt. Sie haben das Staatsoberhaupt abgeschrieben, viele mit deftigen Worten.

Wulff sei „von allen guten Geistern verlassen“, befand die „Frankfurter Allgemeine“. Die „Süddeutsche“ zeigt sich bestürzt über seine „Naivität und Dreistigkeit“: „Dieses Amt ist für Wulff zu groß“. Stefan Aust, der frühere „Spiegel“-Chefredakteur, ist fassungslos“ über das „politische Selbstmordkommando“ des Präsidenten: „So etwa Irres ist mir noch nie vorgekommen.“ Dumm, unentschuldbar, unterste Schublade – so rau rauscht es durch den Blätterwald. Ein medialer Super-GAU. » | Von Karl Gaulhofer | Dienstag 03. Januar 2012

Related »

Newt Gingrich Calls Mitt Romney “a Liar”
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Newt Gingrich called Mitt Romney “a liar” today for saying he has no role or responsibility for a barrage of negative ads that are credited with damaging the former House speaker’s campaign in Iowa.


During an interview with CBS News, Gingrich, who was the frontrunner in Iowa just two weeks ago, said it was “baloney” that Romney had nothing to do with the ads from an independent group, a super PAC called Restore our Future, which is backing the former Massachusetts governor. Those ads are credited, in part, with exposing Gingrich’s personal and congressional vulnerabilities. As Romney has risen to the top of the most recent polls in Iowa, where caucusgoers vote tonight, Gingrich has tumbled to the middle of the pack.

“This is a man whose staff created the PAC and his millionaire friends fund the PAC,” he said on “The Early Show.”

“He’s not telling the American people the truth,” Gingrich said. “It’s just like his pretense that he’s a conservative.”

When asked if he was calling Romney a liar, Gingrich answered “yes.” » | Bobby Caina Calvan, Globe Staff | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Muslim Disrupts Concert for the Queen of the Netherlands to Preach Islam – September 03, 2011
The man was quoting Quran verse 19:33-36, but leaving out verse 19:35 "It is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son."

Jihad Watch »

Iowa Caucus Voters Tell How They Made Their Decision
After months of campaigning, the seven Republican candidates have had their say. Now it's time to hear from the people they are trying to persuade. Filmmaker Kat Keene Hogue travels to Iowa to ask caucus voters one simple question: "What decided your vote?"

Interest in North Korean Holidays On the Rise

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH – TRAVEL: Tour companies have reported a sharp rise in interest for tours of North Korea, after scenes from the funeral of Kim Jong Il, the country's "supreme leader", were broadcast around the world last month.

Korea Konsult, a company that specialises in tours to North Korea, said a planned visit to coincide with Kim Jong il's 70th birthday celebrations in February is still taking place despite the dictator's death on December 19 – and that the number of inquiries is up.

"This tour will definitely take place and we have had a lot of more interest for it than usual," said Julia Dalard, who works for the Sweden-based tour operator. "We have only a few places left." Read on and comment » | Jolyon Attwooll | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

François Hollande : «Ces cinq années auront été la présidence de la parole»
LIBÉRATION: Tribune – Investi le 22 octobre comme candidat du Parti socialiste pour l’élection présidentielle d’avril, François Hollande livre aujourd’hui à «Libération» son adresse aux Français.

Je suis candidat à l’élection présidentielle pour redonner à la France l’espoir qu’elle a perdu depuis trop d’années. Les Français souffrent. Ils souffrent dans leurs vies : le chômage est au plus haut parce que la croissance est au plus bas ; la hausse des prix et des taxes ampute leur pouvoir d’achat ; l’insécurité est partout ; leurs emplois s’en vont au gré des fermetures d’usines et des délocalisations industrielles ; l’école, l’hôpital sont attaqués et n’assurent plus l’égalité entre citoyens ; l’avenir semble bouché pour eux et pour leurs enfants ; la jeunesse se désespère d’être maintenue en lisière de la société. Les Français souffrent aussi dans leur âme collective : la République leur paraît méprisée dans ses valeurs comme dans le fonctionnement de ses institutions, le pacte social qui les unit est attaqué, le rayonnement de leur pays est atteint et ils voient avec colère la France abaissée, affaiblie, abîmée, «dégradée».

La dépression économique est là, l’angoisse sociale est partout, la confiance nulle part. J’affirme avec netteté où se situent les responsabilités. Certes, depuis 2008, il y a la crise. Elle est le produit de la mondialisation débridée, de l’arrogance et de la cupidité des élites financières, du libéralisme effréné, sans oublier l’incapacité des dirigeants européens à dominer la spéculation. Il y a surtout les politiques injustes et stériles menées depuis dix ans, les fautes économiques et morales de ce dernier quinquennat. Il y a donc la responsabilité personnelle de celui qui est au sommet de l’Etat depuis cinq ans. » | Par François Hollande | mardi 03 janvier 2012

LIBÉRATION: Hollande dégaine son «adresse aux Français» » | Laure Bretton | lundi 02 janvier 2012

WELT ONLINE: "Sarkozy ist unfähig, machtlos, gleichgültig": Hollande hat Präsident Sarkozy in einem Brief an alle Franzosen ein Scheitern auf ganzer Linie attestiert. Der Sozialist will "den französischen Traum wiederbeleben". ¶ Rund vier Monate vor der Präsidentschaftswahl in Frankreich sind die oppositionellen Sozialisten zu Jahresbeginn in die Offensive gegangen. In einem Brief an alle Franzosen rief ihr Kandidat François Hollande zur Neuausrichtung der Nation auf. ¶ "Ich will den französischen Traum wiederbeleben", schrieb Hollande in dem Brief, den die Zeitung "Libération" veröffentlichte. Präsident Nicolas Sarkozywarf er umfassendes Scheitern vor: Sarkozy stehe für eine "Präsidentschaft der Worte", zudem sei er "der Präsident der Privilegien". Dies müsse jetzt geändert werden. » | AFP/jm | Dienstag 03. Januar 2012

"No Gays" Says Jamaica's Prime Minister on BBC's HARDtalk

BBC - HARDtalk - Saudi Intervention in Bahrain a faux pas

Related »

Saudi Princess*, Columnist Describes the Treatment of Women in Saudi Arabia as "Slavery"

* Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Saud Bin Abdul Aziz

Related »

Saudi Arabia: Under the Veil

Pat Condell: The Intolerance of Diversity

Le roi du Maroc nomme un islamiste à la tête du gouvernement
LE POINT: Abdelilah Benkirane est le chef du parti Justice et développement (PJD), qui a remporté les législatives de novembre 2011.

Le roi Mohammed VI du Maroc a désigné mardi à Rabat les membres du gouvernement qui sera dirigé, comme prévu, par Abdelilah Benkirane, chef du Parti ustice et développement (PJD), islamiste, vainqueur des législatives de novembre dernier, selon une source officielle. » | AFP | mardi 03 janvier 2012

Egyptian Prosecutors Say Hosni Mubarak Was 'Tyrannical Leader'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Egyptian prosecutors on Tuesday portrayed ousted president Hosni Mubarak as a "tyrannical leader", as they made their opening arguments in his murder trial.

The ailing 83-year-old former strongman, who was wheeled into court on a stretcher, is accused of involvement in the deaths of protesters during the uprising that overthrew him in February.

His former interior minister Habib al-Adly and six security chiefs were also in the dock, as were his two sons Alaa and Gamal who are being tried on corruption charges.

Mubarak was "a tyrannical leader who sought to hand power to his younger son Gamal, who spread corruption in the country and opened the door to his friends and relatives, ruining the country without any accountability," said prosecutor Mustafa Suleiman.

Judge Ahmed Refaat heard from the prosecution for an hour before adjourning the hearing to Wednesday. » | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Syria: Nicolas Sarkozy Demands Bashar al-Assad Step Down after 'Disgusting' Massacres

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: France's President Nicolas Sarkozy demanded on Tuesday that Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad step down, accusing him of overseeing sickening "massacres" against his own people.

Mr Sarkozy told an audience of French military personnel that the Syrian people should be allowed "to freely choose their own destiny" after facing what he denounced as a brutal repression that inspires "disgust and revulsion".

Meanwhile, an explosion struck a gas pipeline on Tuesday in central Syria in an attack the government blamed on terrorists, the state-run news agency said. There were no casualties.
The blast happened near the town Rastan in the restive Homs province, SANA reported.

There have been several pipeline attacks since the Syrian uprising began in mid-March, but it is not clear who is behind them at a time when violence across the country is spiralling out control, unearthing long-standing grievances and resentments.

The government blames saboteurs and terrorists for the blasts. » | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Tap in the Golden Twenties

The Acton Princess Leading the Fight for Saudi Freedom

THE INDEPENDENT: Royal runs campaign for change in her homeland from a suburb in west London

Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Saud Bin Abdul Aziz is one of the more unlikely critics of the élite that runs Saudi Arabia. The oil state boasts a 15,000-strong royal family but it is rare for a voice from within its ranks to become part of the growing clamour for reform in the desert kingdom.

As the youngest daughter of the country's second king and niece to its current ruler, she is from the highest echelons of the Saudi monarchy. Just as her privileged status gives her considerable authority in the debate about change, so this carefully dissenting royal has much to lose if her actions incur the displeasure of Saudi Arabia's ultra-conservative regime.

But then Basma Bint Saud is no ordinary Saudi princess.

A 47-year-old divorcee and a successful businesswoman, she has spent the last five years in the country building a parallel career as a journalist and a blogger, confronting head on sensitive subjects from the abuse of women and poverty in the world's second biggest oil exporter to the chilling effect of the mutawa, the kingdom's draconian religious police.

Such has been her success at shining a light on the problems in Saudi society (a Facebook fan page has 25,000 followers), she now conducts her campaign not from her birthplace in the capital, Riyadh, or her previous home in Jeddah but a recently-acquired house in the west London suburb of Acton which she shares with three of her five children. » | Cahal Milmo | Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Bankers Ready to Sue If Bonuses Too Small

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: A growing number of bankers are considering suing their employer if they do not get the bonus they think they deserve this year, according to City employment lawyers.

British banks should brace themselves for claims from "disgruntled" bankers who will not roll over and accept lower bonuses than usual despite the huge public and shareholder backlash against out-of-control pay, legal experts have warned.

One claim for £1.5m is understood to have already made its way into the system last year, after a banker believed their 2011 bonus was too low.

The case is believed to have been rejected before it got to court, with lawyers acting for the bank branding the claim "whimsical".

Judges are also said to be unsympathetic towards bankers' claims that their bonuses are too small in the current climate.

However, City lawyers said an increasing number of bankers were building cases in preparation of lower bonus payouts and were prepared to fight it out at court. Read on and comment » | Louisa Peacock, Jobs Editor | Monday, January 02, 2012

My comment:

I see no difference between the top-feeders and the bottom-feeders. They are all a scourge to a decent society. Let the bastards sue! Incarcerate all those that can be incarcerated. They got us into this mess; they should pay the price. – © Mark

This comment also appears here

Bahrain: Dutzende Verletzte nach Gefechten mit Polizei

DIE PRESSE: Nach der Beisetzung eines 15-Jährigen gingen Hunderte aus Protest auf die Straße. Die Polizei stoppte die Demonstration der Schiiten unter Einsatz von Tränengas und Eisenstangen.

Der Golfstaat Bahrain ist seit Sonntag Schauplatz von heftigen Kämpfen zwischen schiitischen Demonstranten und Einheiten der Polizei. Bei dem Einsatz wurden bisher mehrere Dutzend Menschen verletzt. Die Sicherheitskräfte gingen nach Angaben von Oppositionsvertretern mit Tränengas und Eisenstangen gegen überwiegend jugendliche Demonstranten vor, die sich am Sonntagabend in Sitra und anderen Ortschaften nahe der Hauptstadt Manama versammelt hatten. Die amtlichen Nachrichtenagentur BNA sprach von einer "Gruppe von Saboteuren", die bei einem illegalen Protestmarsch Straßen verbarrikadiert und Polizisten mit Steinen, Knüppeln und Molotow-Cocktails angegriffen hätten.

Der Grund für die Unruhen war die Beerdigung eines 15-Jährigen, der am Samstag von einem Tränengasgeschoß am Kopf getroffen wurde - er starb wenig später an den schweren Verletzungen. » | Ag. / Red. | Montag 02. Januar 2012

Islamisten stellen Christen in Nigeria ein Ultimatum
TAGES ANZEIGER: Binnen drei Tagen sollen alle Christen den Norden Nigerias verlassen, fordert die islamistische Sekte Boko Haram. Gleichzeitig wollen die Extremisten auch, dass alle Muslime vom Süden in den Norden ziehen.

Die islamistische Sekte Boko Haram hat die im Norden Nigerias lebenden Christen aufgefordert, den hauptsächlich von Muslimen bewohnten Landesteil umgehend zu verlassen. Die Gruppe stelle den Christen dafür ein «Ultimatum von drei Tagen», sagte ein Sprecher der Sekte am Sonntagabend. Im Kampf gegen extremistische Gewalt schlossen nigerianische Soldaten am Montag mehrere Grenzübergänge.

Muslime, die im hauptsächlich von Christen bewohnten Süden des Landes lebten, sollten in den Norden zurückkehren, sagte Boko-Haram-Sprecher Abul Qaqa in einer Telefonkonferenz zu Journalisten. Es gebe «Beweise» dafür, dass die Muslime im Süden bald angegriffen würden. » | rub/AFP | Montag 02. Januar 2012

Papst Benedikt reist im März nach Kuba
Amnestie von Gefangenen als Vorleistung des Regimes
NZZ ONLINE: Papst Benedikt wandelt auf den Spuren seines Vorgängers Johannes Paul II. und reist nach Kuba. Der Besuch hatte offenbar bereits vorab Wirkung. Die Freilassung von 2900 Häftlingen in Kuba sei eine Art Vorleistung gewesen, hiess es von der Führung in Havanna. » | Reuters | Montag 02. Januar 2012

The World from Berlin: 'Iran Is Playing with Fire'

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: With international pressure mounting against Iran to end its nuclear ambitions, the country has begun ominously rattling its sabers in the Persian Gulf. German commentators on Monday urge caution on both sides.

Tensions between Iran and the West escalated again on Monday as Tehran announced it had test-fired two long-range missiles in international waters near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

"We have successfully test-fired long-range shore-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles, called Qader (capable) and Nour (Light) today," Deputy navy Commander Mahmoud Mousavi told state television.

Amid ongoing international criticism of Iran's nuclear program, the missile launches were Tehran's latest show of force in military exercises started in response to the pressure. Monday's maneuvers came after the country announced the launch of a medium range missile the day before.

The so-called war games could bring Iranian ships near US naval forces operating in the Persian Gulf. Both the US and Israel have not ruled out a military response in the conflict over Iran's nuclear ambitions, and US forces based in Bahrain have said they will not allow a closure of the important Strait of Hormuz -- through which 40 percent of the world's crude oil is transported. » | Kristen Allen | Monday, January 02, 2012

Angry Call: President Accused of Threatening Tabloid Newspaper

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: German President Wulff reportedly sought to prevent tabloid Bild from publishing a damaging article about his private loan arrangements last month, two newspapers reported this week. He even threatened legal action in an angry voicemail, the contents of which have now been confirmed by the paper.

German President Christian Wulff intervened personally to try to stop mass-circulation daily Bild from running a story last month about a private loan that has damaged his credibility and exposed him to criticism, German newspapers reported this week.

Wulff reportedly tried to contact Bild Editor in Chief Kai Diekmann on Dec. 12 by telephone to complain about an article the newspaper was planning to run the next day, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung and Süddeutsche Zeitungnewspapers reported on Sunday and Monday respectively.

Wulff only reached Diekmann's voice mail and left a message in which he angrily threatened a "final break" in relations with the Springer publishing house, which publishes Bild, Die Welt and other influential German newspapers, the reports said. The papers claim the president said that if Bild wanted to "wage war," he wanted to hold a meeting about it after his return from an official trip. Wulff was touring several Gulf states at the time Bild ran the story.

According to Bild, Wulff threatened to take legal action against the Bild journalists. Wulff apologized in a subsequent telephone call, Süddeutsche Zeitung added. » | cro/SPIEGEL | Monday, January 02, 2012

Claude Guéant joue l'apaisement sur l'islam

LE FIGARO: Dans une interview au Monde, le ministre de l'Intérieur indique ne pas souhaiter «d'empoignades» sur la question de l'islam au cours de la campagne présidentielle.

Accusé à plusieurs reprises, en 2011, de marcher sur les terres du Front national en stigmatisant les musulmans, Claude Guéant veut calmer le jeu en 2012, année électorale cruciale. C'est le message que le ministre de l'Intérieur a voulu faire passer dans une interview au Monde, daté de mardi. «Dès avant l'été [2011], j'ai marqué mon souci que les problèmes se posant à propos de l'islam, comme les prières de rue, soient réglés bien en amont des élections présidentielle et législatives [d'avril et mai prochains]. Je ne veux pas que ce thème soit un sujet d'empoignades. Et, si ce devait être le cas, cela ne viendra certainement pas de notre formation politique», assure Claude Guéant.

Selon lui, il ne sera plus nécessaire de «légiférer de manière supplémentaire» sur le sujet, car le travail accompli par le gouvernement en 2011 a porté ses fruits. A commencer par la loi interdisant le port du voile intégral, entrée en vigueur en avril dernier. «La loi s'applique sereinement, en dépit d'incidents en petit nombre. Il nous semble que le port du voile intégral est nettement moins fréquent», juge le ministre de l'Intérieur. Même constat positif sur le débat mené en avril par l'UMP sur la laïcité et l'islam, qui a permis, selon Claude Guéant, «de rappeler ce qu'était la laïcité en France et à quel point elle devait gouverner notre vie publique». «Les musulmans se sont rendu compte que personne en France ne voulait autre chose que de les voir vivre paisiblement leur religion», ajoute encore le ministre. » | Par Jim Jarrassé | lundi 02 janvier 2012

Chinese President Hu Jintao Warns of Cultural Warfare from West

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The West is using cultural warfare to divide China, Chinese President Hu Jintao warned his Community [sic] Party on Monday.

Mr Hu called on the 80 million-plus Party members to fight "hostile international powers" and meet the "cultural demands" of the people.

"Hostile international powers are strengthening their efforts to Westernise and divide us," Mr Hu wrote in the latest edition of Communist Party's magazine, Seeking the Truth.

"We must be aware of the seriousness and complexity of the struggles and take powerful measures to prevent and deal with them," he warned in his article.

Mr Hu was writing in the revolutionary magazine used by Chairman Mao to spread his ideology after it was launched in 1958.

"The international culture of the West is strong while we are weak," Mr Hu's article said. "Ideological and cultural fields are their [western forces'] main targets," Mr Hu wrote.


He also said the Party must meet the "growing spiritual and cultural demands of the people". » | Peter Simpson in Beijing | Monday, January 02, 2012

Muslims Clash with Chinese Police Who Destroyed Mosque
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Hundreds of Muslims fought with armed police who demolished a mosque in north China, local police and a human rights group said on Monday, with several people injured in the "riot".

The violence between local Muslims and roughly 1,000 armed police began after police declared illegal a newly renovated mosque in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and moved to destroy it, the Information Center for Human Rights and Democracy, in Hong Kong, said.

The Hui are one of several Muslim minority groups in China.

Two people were killed and 50 injured after police fired tear gas and used knives and batons to beat back ethnic Hui Muslim protesters in Taoshan village, Hexi township, the rights group said, citing villagers.

Hexi township police denied any deaths when reached by telephone.

A policeman surnamed Ma confirmed that the mosque was torn down. He told AFP a "riot" occurred in Hexi on Saturday afternoon. » | Monday, January 02, 2012

Saudi Arabia to Apply Law for Women Only to Sell Lingerie
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia said on Monday it will begin enforcing a law that allows only females to work in women's lingerie and apparel stores, despite disapproval from the country's top cleric.

The 2006 law banning men from working in female apparel and cosmetic stores has never been put into effect, partly because of view of hard-liners in the religious establishment, who oppose the whole idea of women working where men and women congregate together, like malls.

Saudi women - tired of having to deal with men when buying undergarments - have boycotted lingerie stores to pressure them to employ women. The government's decision to enforce the law requiring that goes into effect Thursday. » | Monday, January 02, 2012

Afghan Girl, 15, Tortured by In-laws for Resisting Prostitution

THE GUARDIAN: Case of Sahar Gul shocks Afghans, but rights activists say serious abuses against females are still common

A 15-year-old Afghan girl who was severely tortured for months by her in-laws to force her into prostitution will be sent to India for medical treatment, an Afghan official has said.

Sahar Gul's mother-in-law and sister-in-law have been arrested and her husband is being sought, said interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi on Monday.

The case has shocked Afghans, though rights activists say serious abuses against women and girls in the conservative society are common. President Hamid Karzai has said that whoever used violence against Gul will be punished.

According to officials in north-eastern Baghlan province, Gul's in-laws kept her in a basement for six months, ripped her fingernails out, tortured her with hot irons and broke her fingers. Police freed her last week after her uncle tipped them off.

The public health and women's affairs ministers visited Gul, who is in a Kabul hospital.

"It is a violent act that is unacceptable in the 21st century," Sediqi told reporters. "We are thankful [to] Sahar Gul's uncle." He added that "if the police had not arrived in time she may have died". » | AP in Kabul | Monday, January 02, 2012

Pope Benedict Calls for Peace at New Year Mass
In his New Year's Angelus, the Pontiff paid special attention to the young, many of who[m] are struggling to build a future for themselves in a time of financial crisis.

Read the short article here | Sunday, January 01, 2012

Rewarding Party Donors in the Honours System Risks Bringing System into 'Disrepute' Says Sir Christopher Kelly

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Handing knighthoods and other honours to financial backers of major political parties risks bringing the system into “disrepute” because of the suspicion of corruption, according to the standards watchdog.

Sir Christopher Kelly, the chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, was speaking after four leading Conservative donors who had collectively given the party nearly £1million were given awards in the New Year honours list.

Paul Ruddock, a hedge fund manager, and Doug Ellis, a package holiday millionaire were knighted, while James Lupton, an investment banker, and James Wates, a construction firm tycoon, were awarded CBEs in Saturday’s list.

However Labour criticised the awards, suggesting the Government was using the system to reward individuals who had been generous to the Conservative party.

Sir Christopher said that the claims showed why rules on party funding needed to be changed to prevent any suspicion that rich individuals can buy influence. The three main parties are considering proposals he submitted in November.

He told The Daily Telegraph: “For as long as you can make political donations, when there is a coincidence between honours and donors you get this sort of story.

“It implies corruption even when there isn’t any. It is unsatisfactory. It is bad all round. They risk bringing it [the honours system] into disrepute.” » | Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent | Sunday, January 01, 2012

We Won't Eat Halal Meat, Say MPs and Peers Who Reject Demands to Serve It at Westminster
MAIL ON SUNDAY: Some parliamentarians have eaten meat at Westminster having been assured it was halal

The Palace of Westminster has rejected demands to serve halal meat in its restaurants.

Muslim MPs and peers have been told they cannot have meat slaughtered in line with Islamic tradition because the method – slitting an animal’s throat without first stunning it – is offensive to many of their non-Muslim colleagues.

The stance has infuriated some parliamentarians who have eaten meat in the Palace’s 23 restaurants and cafes, having been assured that it was halal.

Lord Ahmed of Rotherham said: ‘I did feel misled. I think a halal option should be made available.’

In 2010, the Mail on Sunday revealed schools, hospitals and restaurants were serving halal meat to unwitting customers. Read on and comment » | Chris Hastings | Sunday, January 01, 2012

Happy New Year! Bonne année ! Glückliches Neues Jahr! Felice anno nuovo! Feliz año nuevo! ! سنة سعيدة

Wishing you ALL a VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY & PROSPEROUS 2010, and thanking you ALL for your continued and loyal support.