Sacked Iran Foreign Minister Criticises 'Un-Islamic' Dismissal
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Manouchehr Mottaki, the former Iranian foreign minister who was abruptly fired last week, has said his dismissal was "un-Islamic, undiplomatic and offensive".

The former minister said he was caught unaware when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iran president, announced the decision to sack him while he was away on a diplomatic mission in Senegal, according to the Mehr new agency. Mr Ahmadinejad appointed nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi as acting foreign minister.

Mr Mottaki added his criticism to an outcry by parliament members who rival Mr Ahmadinejad from within his own conservative camp. He told that he was not told about the dismissal before or during his trip.

"Dismissing a minister during a mission is un-Islamic, undiplomatic and offensive," Mr Mottaki said. "I was never informed," he added. >>> | Sunday, December 19, 2010

THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: Riot police across Tehran as regime fears unrest: Iran's rulers showed they were fearing another bout of mass unrest on Sunday when they deployed riot police across the capital at the same time as a biting austerity programme took effect. >>> Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent | Sunday, December 19, 2010

Vote for Me, or Else! Police Fear Riots if Obama Loses US Election
THE TELEGRAPH: US police fear riots could break out if John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, wins the election next month.

Law enforcement officials say the intense public interest and historic nature of the vote could lead to violent outbreaks if people are unhappy with the results, encounter problems casting their ballots or suspect voting irregularities.

Police departments say they cannot rule out disorder and are mobilising extra forces and putting SWAT teams on standby.

In Oakland, near San Francisco, police will have tactical squads, SWAT teams and officers trained in riot control on standby.

"We always try to prepare for the worst," said Oakland police department spokesman Jeff Thomason.

"This election is going to mark in history a change in the presidency: you're going to have a woman in the presidency or an African American as president. I think everybody around here is voting for Obama, so if he gets in the White House everybody's going to be happy.

"But we'll have our SWAT teams on standby and traffic teams here, so if something goes off we'll organise and take care of the problem."

There have also been internet rumours about plans for protests or civil disobedience by supporters of Democratic candidate Barack Obama if he is beaten by Republican rival John McCain on November 4. >>> By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles | October 23, 2008

The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Hardcover (US) Barnes & Noble >>>