US Election 2012: It's Not Just the Gaffes - Romney's Foreign Policy Vacuum Leaves Lasting Damage

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The goal of a foreign policy tour in the middle of an American campaign is to appear presidential, writes John Avlon. But in the absence of real policy, however, it was the gaffes that became the lasting memory.

Mitt Romney got back to the USA after his magical misery tour through Britain, Israel and Poland and promptly decamped to the Midwest swing states where his poll numbers have been dipping precipitously.

The goal of a foreign policy tour in the middle of an American campaign is to appear presidential – a subtle psychological reinforcement of the idea that the man can be trusted to represent the nation on the world stage.

The famously risk-averse Romney had scheduled what should have been a seamless tour, starting with a visit to the Olympics - a beloved cornerstone of his campaign biography as a turnaround artist. But as British readers know all too well, things didn't quite work out as intended.

When the leading British Conservatives – Prime Minister David Cameron and Mayor Boris Johnson – disrespect the visiting conservative presidential candidate, you know things have gone horribly wrong.

Team Romney was on the defensive for the rest of the trip, with meticulous photo opportunities spoiled by unforced errors. My personal favourite came courtesy of an over-zealous aide who rebuked the travelling press corps for shouting questions at the candidate after he deposited a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw.

"Kiss my ass," shouted the Romney spokesman. "This is a holy site for the Polish people. Show some respect."

Martin Scorsese couldn't have written better dialogue. Read on and comment » | John Avlon, American Way | Saturday, August 04, 2012

Olympic Scandal: German Rower Suspected of Right-Wing Ties

SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: The German Olympic team has been rocked by a scandal involving a member of the women's eight rowing team. According to media reports, Nadja Drygalla is suspected of having ties to the right-wing extremist scene in Rostock. She has voluntarily left the Olympic Village and an investigation may follow.

A scandal has erupted in London over the alleged association of a German athlete with neo-Nazi elements back home. Nadja Drygalla, a member of the German women's eight Olympic rowing team has left the Olympic Village, according to a press release issued by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) Thursday night.

Although the release did not specify the reasons for her sudden departure, German public broadcaster ARD reports that the 23-year-old ex-police officer is suspected of sympathizing with right-wing extremist ideology and of reportedly being associated with an official from the far-right National Democratic Party (NPD), which authorities describe as racist, revisionist, hostile to the constitution and sympathetic to extremist right-wing ideology. The party is, however, legal and has representatives in both state and municipal assemblies, primarily in eastern Germany. » | jtw -- with wires | Friday, August 03, 2012

London Olympics 2012: Opening Ceremony with TV Commentary

Enjoy the Opening Ceremony of London 2012

Watch it here | Friday, July 27, 2012; Posted Saturday, July 28, 2012

London 2012 Olympics: Saudi Arabia Threaten[s] to Withdraw from Olympics over Judo Headscarf Ban

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Saudi Arabia have [has] threatened to withdraw from the London 2012 Olympic Games unless female judo athlete Wujdan Shahrkhani is allowed to wear her headscarf in competition.

The International Olympic Committee has organised an urgent meeting with Saudi Arabia national Olympic committee officials, the international judo federation, and London Olympic organisers to try and avert the Saudi withdrawal.

"Yes we have heard that the Saudis are not happy and we will have an urgent meeting, certainly in the next two days," an IOC spokesperson told Telegraph Sport.

The issue is particularly sensitive as the IOC president Jacques Rogge had spent many months attempting to ensure Saudi Arabian women were participating in the London Games, despite initial reticence by the Saudi royal family.

Saudi Arabia had been the only country which appeared not to be sending any female athletes to the Games. » | Jacquelin Magnay, Olympics Editor | Friday, July 27, 2012

Middleton Family Website Breaches Olympic Rules
THE DAILY BEAST: It's tough trying to run a business when every update on your website is scrutinized by the global media looking for a story.

Now, lawyers for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (Locog) are to look at the party-planning website of the Middleton family to investigate whether it breaches the strict advertising rules of the London 2012 Olympic Games, the Telegraph is reporting today.

It is not clear how Locog were alerted to the website of Party Pieces owned by the Duchess of Cambridge's family.

If the company is in breach of the Olympic Act 2006, it could result in court action and a possible £20,000 fine, but, "The standard practice is to issue a warning letter, but in blatant breaches or where the company refuses to co-operate we take it seriously," an Olympic source told Telegraph Sport this morning. » | Tom Sykes | Thursday, July 19, 2012

Kate Middleton's Olympic Themed Cartier Necklace Costs £49,000!
And we thought she was thrifty

ENTERTAINMENT WISE: When our very own queen of recycling Kate Middleton stepped out in a £515 Olympian blue Stella McCartney dress to attend the National Portrait Gallery yesterday, we thought that was pushing the boat out.

But we are stunned to reveal that the ‘statement’ gold ring Olympic themed necklace that the Duchess of Cambridge wore to accessorise the 60s inspired shift dress costs a staggering £49,000 and is in fact by Cartier.

The white, yellow and rose gold exquisite piece, which is from the jeweller’s Trinity range – features five diamond-studded circles that are held together by a cluster of delicate chains. Now that’s some complicated bling.

And St James Palace have [sic] claimed the super expensive necklace is owned by Kate personally. This just gets more confusing. "It's a personal piece which she's had for some time," says a St James's Palace spokesman. "It's not an official Olympic item but it's appropriate to wear it." » | Lucia Binding | Friday, July 20, 2012

Saudi Arabia Finally Allows Two Female Athletes to Compete in London 2012 for First Time in Olympic History
MAIL ONLINE: • Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in judo while runner Sarah Attar will run 800m • Sarah Attar: 'I hope it can really make some big strides for [Saudi] women to get more involved in sport' • The Gulf kingdom will also include female officials in their Olympic delegation for the first time • Strict rules include dressing modestly, being accompanied by a male guardian at all times and not mixing with men during the Games

Saudi Arabia will send two female athletes to the London Olympics, ending the ultraconservative Muslim country's record of sending only all-male teams to the games.

Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in the +78kg judo competition while runner Sarah Attar will be at the start line for the 800m at the Olympic Stadium.

The Gulf kingdom will also include female officials in their Olympic delegation for the first time, one of the officials said.

While in previous Games, men have been able to wear shorts and singlets, the women will almost certainly have to compete with their heads, legs and arms covered - and most likely in leggings.

Speaking from her training base in the US, Sarah Attar said: 'It's such a huge honour and I hope that it can really make some big strides for women over there to get more involved in sport.'

Competing in the Olympics is such a huge step for women in Saudi Arabia, they are happy to abide by the strict caveats laid out by their country's leaders.

These include dressing modestly, being accompanied by a male guardian at all times and never mixing with men during the Games, Prince Nawaf bin Faisal told the Al-Jazirah newspaper. » | Matt Blake | Thursday, July 12, 2012