L'extrême-droite autrichienne a trouvé son maître
L'ancien rival Heinz-Christian Strache est désormais le nouveau visage d'un FPÖ puissant et réunifié. Crédits photo : L’Express.fr
L’EXPRESS.fr: Les frères ennemis ont liquidé ce mercredi l'héritage Haider. L'ancien rival Heinz-Christian Strache est désormais le nouveau visage d'un FPÖ puissant et réunifié.

Sans leader, pas de parti. Les héritiers de Jörg Haider n'auront pas survécu à la disparition de leur chef. Ils ont rejoint ce mercredi le parti qu'ils avaient quitté avec fracas en 2005, abandonnant toute prétention politique pour survivre. L'éphémère BZÖ (Alliance pour l'Avenir de l'Autriche) disparait alors de la scène politique, malgré la résistance des durs de durs, regroupés autour de la soeur de Haider, élue au parlement, et qui se déclarait hier "humainement déçue". >>> Par Blaise Gauquelin | Jeudi 17 Décembre 2009

The Queen Dropped from Victoria's Legal System
THE TELEGRAPH: The Australian state of Victoria is to dump the Queen from legal proceedings only days before Prince William arrives on a goodwill visit.

Prince William and the Queen. Photo: The Telegraph
From Jan 1, all criminal court cases will be brought in the name of the director of public prosecutions instead of the monarch as traditionally.

Announcing the change, Rob Hulls, the state's attorney-general and acting Labour premier, said: "Having cases presented in the name of the Queen of England is an outdated colonial tradition that has really passed its use-by date.

"Substituting the director of public prosecutions for the Queen or Regina reflects the legal and political independence from the United Kingdom and its monarch that has been achieved by Australia."

He denied the change was a snub to Prince William, who arrives in the state on Jan 21 during a visit that has been described as an opportunity to better acquaint himself with Australia.

Mr Hulls, an avowed republican, said: "This is all about making our laws and legal procedures relevant. It's no more or less than that." >>> Paul Chapman | Thursday, December 17, 2009

Not Before Time! Big Companies May Be Coming to Their Senses!
THE TELEGRAPH: Nike, Adidas and other companies may cut their spending on sports sponsorships after the coverage of Tiger Woods's marital infidelity, it has been claimed.

Tiger Woods was earning about $100 million (£62 million) a year from his sponsors before the scandal. Photo: The Telegraph
In the past week, Accenture ended its endorsement deal with Woods, while Gillette said it would not use Woods in its marketing. Others are reevaluating their deals with the golfer.

Omar Saad, a Credit Suisse analyst, said that Nike and other companies are being forced to rethink the effectiveness of the vast sums of money they spend on individual and team sponsorships. Tiger Woods: sports sponsors may slash spending on big stars >>> | Thursday, December 17, 2009

Christians Outraged by Poster Showing Mary and Joseph after Sex
THE TELEGRAPH: A risque church billboard showing the Virgin Mary and Joseph in bed apparently after having disappointing sex has caused outrage among Christians in New Zealand.

The poster sparked a barrage of comments to radio stations and on internet websites. Photo: The Telegraph
The large poster depicts a dejected-looking Joseph lying next to Mary, whose eyes are turned heavenwards, under the words: "Poor Joseph. God was a hard act to follow."

Both figures, painted in classical fresco style, appear to be naked.

Within hours of the billboard being erected outside the Anglican church of St Matthew's in the City, in central Auckland, it had been attacked by a man who clambered on to the roof of his car to smear brown paint over it.

As a result it was almost obliterated and the church, which describes itself as "progressive", is seeking a replacement.

Archdeacon Glynn Cardy said the billboard was intended to lampoon the literal interpretation of the Christmas conception story "and that somehow this male God impregnated Mary".

"What we're trying to do is to get people to think more about what Christmas is all about," he said.

"We actually think God is about the power of love as shown in Jesus, which is something quite different than a literal man up in the sky." >>> Paul Chapman in Wellington | Thursday, December 17, 2009

Mühen der Deutschen mit direkter Demokratie: Nach dem Schweizer Minarettverbot geraten Volksabstimmungen in Verruf
NZZ ONLINE: Dass es die Schweizer gewagt haben, den Bau neuer Minarette zu verbieten, hat in Deutschland die Debatte über die plebiszitäre Demokratie neu entfacht. Die Befürworter repräsentativer Formen sehen sich bestätigt.

Die Schweizer Minarettabstimmung macht den Deutschen zu schaffen. Nicht primär ihres sehr bedauerlichen Ausgangs wegen – in ihrer Verdammung des Resultats waren sich die Kommentatoren der führenden Medien zumindest in den ersten Tagen praktisch einig. Nein, was die Deutschen irritiert, ist die Tatsache, dass es das Volk war, das die Entscheidung traf, und nicht die gewählte Elite. Denn auch hierzulande gilt die Forderung nach mehr Volksentscheiden grundsätzlich als «gut», progressiv und politisch korrekt, und im Volk geniesst sie – man ist zu sagen versucht: natürlich – grosse Unterstützung.

Stolz auf die eigene Tugend

Die herablassende Selbstgerechtigkeit, mit der die schweizerische Entgleisung zunächst gerügt wurde, ebbte in Deutschland schon nach wenigen Tagen merklich ab. Überheblichkeit im Umgang mit der Schweiz ist eher medialer Reflex als nationaler Charakterzug, und so debattierte man schon bald bang die Frage, ob es sich beim Schweizer Nein zu neuen Minaretten tatsächlich nur um eine isolierte, die lichte Welt europäischer Aufgeklärtheit aber nicht weiter tangierende Manifestation eidgenössischer Rückständigkeit handle oder ob hier nicht doch eine Haltung zum Ausdruck kam, die sich auch anderswo, eventuell sogar in Deutschland, finden liesse. Alerte Beobachter wiesen auf Blogs und Webseiten hin, in denen der Schweizer Entscheid mit überwältigendem Mehr begeistert begrüsst wurde. Womit man beim Problem der direkten Demokratie angekommen war. … >>> Ulrich Schmid, Berlin | Donnerstag, 17. Dezember 2009

Germany Donates £50m to Auschwitz
THE TELEGRAPH: Germany has donated more than £50 million to a global fund that aims to preserve the site of the Nazi German Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland.

Auschwitz: Photograph: The Telegraph
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum said that the 60 million euros pledged by the German government represented half the total it needs to ensure the future of the Second World War site as a permanent memorial to the Nazis' victims.

"This is a great day! The plan for the long-term preservation of this memorial is becoming a reality," said Piotr Cywinski, director of the state-run museum and head of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation which was launched earlier this year.

An Auschwitz survivor, Wladyslaw Bartoszewski - a former Polish foreign minister who is considered a moral authority in his country and set up the foundation - hailed Germany's sense of "responsibility with regard to history". >>> | Thursday, December 17, 2009

Swiss Minaret Appeal Goes to European Court
BBC: An appeal against last month's decision by Swiss voters to ban minarets has been submitted to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

The appeal was lodged by Hafid Ouardiri, an Algerian-born Muslim and a former spokesman for the Geneva Mosque.

Mr Ouardiri wants the court to rule that the ban is incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.

Some 57.5% of Swiss voters and 22 out of 26 cantons - or provinces - voted in favour of the ban last month.

The referendum proposal was put forward by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the largest party in parliament, which said minarets were a sign of Islamisation.

Switzerland's federal government had urged Swiss voters to reject it, warning it would contravene religious freedom and human rights and could stoke extremism. >>> | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

BBC News Website Asks Users: 'Should Homosexuals Face Execution?'
This is a clear example of the BBC taking leave of its senses! Shame on the BBC for asking such a ridiculous, cruel question! This subject is not worthy of debate. Period! – © Mark

THE GUARDIAN: Talkboard post seeks readers' views ahead of interactive World Service programme Africa Have Your Say

The BBC's Have Your Say talkboard. Image: The Guardian
The BBC today asked users of its news website "Should homosexuals face execution?" on a talkboard discussion for a World Service programme for African listeners.

Posted on a BBC News premoderated talkboard, the thread was designed to provoke discussion ahead of the latest edition of interactive World Service programme Africa Have Your Say.

"Yes, we accept it is a stark and disturbing question, but this is the reality behind an anti-homosexuality bill being debated on Friday by the Ugandan parliament which would see some homosexual offences punishable by death," the post said.

The talkboard post asked users to send in their views to the programme, which goes out on the World Service and is also available online.

"Has Uganda gone too far? Should there be any level of legislation against homosexuality? Should homosexuals be protected by legislation as they are in South Africa? What would be the consequences of this bill to you? How will homosexual 'offences' be monitored?," the post added.

Premoderated posts included one from Chris, Guildford, posted at 8.59am, which attracted 51 recommendations of support. He wrote: "Totally agree. Ought to be imposed in the UK too, asap. Bring back some respectable family values. Why do we have to suffer 'gay pride' festivals? Would I be allowed to organise a 'straight pride' festival? No, thought as much!! If homosexuality is natural, as we are forced to believe, how can they sustain the species? I suggest all gays are put on a remote island somewhere and left for a generation - after which, theoretically there should be none left!"

Another, from Aaron in Freetown, said: "Bravo to the Ugandans for this wise decision, a bright step in eliminating this menace from your society. We hope other African nations will also follow your bold step." >>> Stephen Brook | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

BBC Defends Debate on Gay Executions in Uganda
PINK NEWS: BBC editors have defended allowing online readers to debate whether gays in Uganda should be executed, saying they accepted it was a "challenging question".

The discussion, on the broadcaster's Have Your Say feature, asked: "Should homosexuals face execution?"

The debate centres on Uganda, where an anti-gay bill is passing through parliament. It would impose execution or life imprisonment on gays, its sponsor David Bahati MP says.

Some commentators on the site, from both the UK and Africa, had agreed with the country's proposed law.

It was closed at around 4pm this afternoon after provoking a storm of anger on Twitter.

A number of readers emailed PinkNews.co.uk to complain that the question was offensive, arguing that readers would not be asked to debate the extermination of Jews in World War II. >>> Staff Writer, Pink News | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Uganda Antigay Sentiments Hit Close to Home
ADVOCATE.COM: COMMENTARY: Kim Stolz wonders why certain U.S. senators refuse to comment on Uganda's "kill the gays" bill — a bill the White House, international human rights organizations, and even some typically conservative Christian groups have condemned.

Collage: Advocate.com
In his State of the Union Address in January 2003, President George W. Bush gave one of his more eloquent and moving speeches about his upcoming HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program, and included specific praise for the African country of Uganda in paving the way to lower AIDS population rates on the continent. This fall, the international community, feeling helpless and stunned, watched as severe antigay legislation was introduced in Uganda on Oct. 14, which called for a life imprisonment sentence for homosexual acts and the death sentence for those engaging in homosexual activity repeatedly and for any HIV-positive person doing so. 
 


The current law in Uganda states that anyone who identifies as a homosexual, bisexual, or transgender should be sentenced to a minimum of 14 years imprisonment. While 14 years is the stated term, being convicted as an LGBT person commonly results in a life sentence. While it has never been safe to identifying as a gay person in Uganda, the bill introduced October 14, if passed, would make a nonstraight lifestyle impossible in the African country. The new legislation calls for a life sentence as a minimum punishment for any LGBT person and further states that anyone who fails to report a homosexual to the government within 24 hours will be sentenced to three years in prison. The final part of the bill is perhaps the most shocking, given Uganda’s history of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. It states that death by hanging is the punishment for “aggravated homosexuality,” which is defined as any of the following: a repeat offender of the homosexuality law, having homosexual sex when any intoxicating substance is involved (for instance, if two men meet at a bar, buy each other a drink and then have sex, both of these men would be sentenced to death,) if one engages in homosexual activity as an authority figure, and finally, having sex if you’re HIV-positive. 
 


After hearing about the new “kill the gays” legislation in Uganda, President Obama, international human rights groups (specifically Human Rights Watch), and various public figures around the world made statements against the proposed law. In fact, Christian groups, which have remained divided on issues like civil unions and gay marriage, came together to oppose the flagrant human rights violation. Still, though, among the authority figures who strictly opposed the potential law, there were a few famous and prominent faces in the crowd — familiar faces to the Ugandan government — who connect through a wide “family” network and are now hiding from the accusations that they may actually be connected to this disgusting and murderous legislation. >>> Kim Stolz | Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Just Half of Britons Now Call Themselves Christian after a ‘Sharp Decline’ in Faith over Past 25 Years
THE TELEGRAPH: Only half of Britons now consider themselves Christian after a “sharp decline” in religious belief over the past quarter of a century, according to a new academic study.

Researchers describe a large proportion of the country as the “fuzzy faithful” who have a vague belief in God but do not necessarily belong to a particular denomination or attend services.

However, most people still say religion helps bring happiness and comfort, and regret its declining influence on modern society.

Professor David Voas, who has analysed the latest data, said: “More and more people are ceasing to identify with a religion at all.

“Indeed, the key distinction in Britain now is between religious involvement and indifference. We are thus concerned about differences in religiosity - the degree of religious commitment - at least as much as diversity of religious identity.”

His analysis, to be published in January by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), looks at the results of 4,486 interviews conducted in the respected 2008 British Social Attitudes survey.

It shows that just 50 per cent of respondents now call themselves Christian, down from 66 per cent in 1983. NatCen said it confirmed “the sharp decline in religious faith in Britain.”

At the same time, the proportion of Britons who say they have “no religion” has increased from 31 per cent to 43 per cent. Non-Christians, including Muslims and Jews, now represent 7 per cent of the population, up from 2 per cent, 25 years ago. >>> Martin Beckford | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

George Pitcher: Christianity Dying? Don't Bet Your Church on It
THE TELEGRAPH: I went on Vanessa Feltz’s radio programme this morning – no mean feat, I might say, while buying a train ticket and finding a platform – to talk about this story of the “lost Christians”, with only half of we Britons now considering ourselves Christian.

I’m not as disheartened as Ms Feltz suggested I should be. And I don’t mean in that way that clergymen sometimes sound like the Lib Dem candidate who has just taken a massive hit in a local election: “This is actually an encouraging result for us, with our share of the vote having risen against the Zoroastrians.”

I mean two things. First, since my generation is the first to follow the “Christendom generations”, I’m encouraged that so many are still signing up to the faith. By that, I mean that our parents would answer automatically to form-fillers (or any equivalent to the National Centre for Social Research, whence the latest stats emerge) that they were “Church of England”, without any real sense of conviction. It was just what you were. This applied less to other minority denominations, because the CofE was a default position – the established Church was just part of the background, ambient noise. In contrast, these days people are thinking about what and why they believe. And that must be a good thing. And rather good that half of them, voluntarily and thoughfully [sic], sign up to Christianity. >>> George Picher | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Die Schweiz nimmt einen Guantánamo-Häftling auf: Entscheidung des Bundesrates aus «humanitären Gründen»
NZZ ONLINE: Die Schweiz nimmt aus humanitären Gründen einen Guantánamo-Häftling auf. Dies hat der Bundesrat am Mittwoch entschieden. Beim ehemaligen Häftling handelt es sich um einen Usbeken, der keine Gefahr für die öffentliche Sicherheit darstellen soll. Er wird im Kanton Genf leben.

Der Bundesrat wolle mit dem Entscheid zur Lösung des Problems beitragen, teilte das Justiz- und Polizeidepartement mit. Der Entscheid zur Aufnahme des Usbeken stütze sich auf intensive Abklärungen, heisst es weiter. Die gegen ihn erhobenen Anschuldigungen der Verbindung zu terroristischen Kreisen hätten sich nicht erhärten lassen. Bereits im Jahr 2005 sei er von den USA «zur Freilassung freigegeben» worden. Bereitschaft zur Integration >>> sda/ap | Mittwoch, 16. Dezember 2009

Gulf Petro-powers to Launch Currency in Latest Threat to Dollar Hegemony
THE TELEGRAPH: The Arab states of the Gulf region have agreed to launch a single currency modelled on the euro, hoping to blaze a trail towards a pan-Arab monetary union swelling to the ancient borders of the Ummayad Caliphate.

“The Gulf monetary union pact has come into effect,” said Kuwait’s finance minister, Mustafa al-Shamali, speaking at a Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) summit in Kuwait.

The move will give the hyper-rich club of oil exporters a petro-currency of their own, greatly increasing their influence in the global exchange and capital markets and potentially displacing the US dollar as the pricing currency for oil contracts. Between them they amount to regional superpower with a GDP of $1.2 trillion (£739bn), some 40pc of the world’s proven oil reserves, and financial clout equal to that of China.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar are to launch the first phase next year, creating a Gulf Monetary Council that will evolve quickly into a full-fledged central bank.

The Emirates are staying out for now – irked that the bank will be located in Riyadh at the insistence of Saudi King Abdullah rather than in Abu Dhabi. They are expected join later, along with Oman.

The Gulf states remain divided over the wisdom of anchoring their economies to the US dollar. The Gulf currency – dubbed “Gulfo” – is likely to track a global exchange basket and may ultimately float as a regional reserve currency in its own right. “The US dollar has failed. We need to delink,” said Nahed Taher, chief executive of Bahrain’s Gulf One Investment Bank.

The project is inspired by Europe’s monetary union, seen as a huge success in the Arab world. But there are concerns that the region is trying to run before it can walk. >>> Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Tuesday, December 2009

Mystery as Lockerbie Bomber Goes Missing from Home and Hospital
The freed Lockerbie bomber Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi with his mother and daughter. Photograph: Times Online
TIMES ONLINE: Mystery surrounded the Lockerbie bomber last night after he could not be reached at his home or in hospital.
Libyan officials could say nothing about the whereabouts of Abdul Baset Ali al-Megrahi, and his Scottish monitors could not contact him by telephone. They will try again to speak to him today but if they fail to reach him, the Scottish government could face a new crisis.

Under the terms of his release from jail, the bomber cannot change his address or leave Tripoli, and must keep in regular communication with East Renfrewshire Council.

Politicians on both sides of the Atlantic and relatives of the 270 people who died in the 1988 bombing expressed anger about al-Megrahi’s disappearance. Richard Baker, Labour’s justice spokesman in the Scottish Parliament, said the whole affair was turning into a shambles and putting Scotland’s reputation at risk. “This flags up just how ludicrous it is that East Renfrewshire Council, a local council thousands of miles away from Libya, is responsible for supervising al-Megrahi’s conditions of licence,” he said. >>> Martin Fletcher, Tim Reid and Angus Macleod | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

TIMES ONLINE: Justice Secretary under fire as bomber defies three-month prognosis >>> Charlene Sweeney, Martin Fletcher | Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Abuse of Process
TIMES ONLINE – LEADER: The targeting of Israeli ministers by the courts is not justice, it is a disgrace

The application of law to warfare is among the greatest advances in Western civilisation over four centuries. In the name of human rights, that tradition is being traduced by a politicised campaign to harass the statesmen of a democracy. It is unlikely that you will have needed to read this far to learn that the targeted nation is Israel.

Tzipi Livni, the leader of the Israeli Kadima party, accepted an invitation to speak at an Anglo-Jewish event in London last weekend. It emerged in the meantime that British magistrates had issued an arrest warrant against Ms Livni for alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza last winter, when she was Foreign Minister (see page 14). The warrant was the latest attempt by pressure groups to seek British court authority for the arrest of Israeli leaders. It was rescinded only when the court learnt that Ms Livni had cancelled her trip to Britain, apparently because of a scheduling clash. The Israeli Foreign Ministry nonetheless expressed fury.

The Israeli reaction is far from overwrought. Ms Livni’s is the second such case in recent months. Ehud Barak, the Israeli Defence Minister during the Gaza offensive, attended a meeting at the British Labour Party conference in September. Campaigners unsuccessfully sought an arrest warrant against him from the same court.

The difference between the cases appears to be that Mr Barak was still a serving minister, whereas Ms Livni is not. Lawyers acting for the campaigners cite the principle of “universal jurisdiction”. Under it, courts in England and Wales have jurisdiction over certain crimes regardless of where in the world they were committed. >>> | Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Men Turn Tables on Regime by Donning Headscarves and Dresses
THE INDEPENDENT: Hundreds of pictures of men in women's clothing have been posted online by Iranian opposition supporters in mockery of what they say is a crude attempt by the authorities to humiliate and discredit a reformist student leader by photographing him in a head scarf and chador.

The student, Majid Tavakoli, was arrested after he gave a speech urging fellow students at Amir Kabir university to reject "tyranny," in protests which swept the country last week. Iranian state media released photographs of Mr Tavakoli wearing a black chador, and a blue scarf around his unshaven face. >>> | Monday, December 14, 2009

Yob Who Yanked Off Muslim Woman's Headscarf Ordered to Pay Her £1,000 Compensation
MAIL ONLINE: A thug who ripped off a Muslim woman's headscarf as she passed him in the street says he's 'ashamed' of what he did.

Stephen Ard was handed a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, after he admitted a charge of religiously aggravated assault.

Leicester magistrates also ordered him to pay his victim £1,000 compensation after hearing he was drunk at the time of the incident which took place in October in the Highfields area of the city.

His victim Rehana Sidat told the court she felt 'invaded' by the attack and is still scared to walk the streets alone.

Ard, 29, walked free after writing a letter of apology to the court. He said he felt 'ashamed and embarrassed' by his behaviour.

Miss Sidat, 28, was walking to her job at a drop-in centre for people with learning difficulties when her attacker suddenly snatched the veil - also called the niqab - from her face.

She said Ard's actions had left her 'emotionally and psychologically' hurt. >>>| Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Burka Barbie: Famous Doll Gets a Makeover
THE TELEGRAPH: Barbie, the iconic plastic doll, is famed for her glamorous clothes and pneumatic figure – but that tradition has been turned on its head with the introduction of a new burka-clad model.

The look is part of an exhibition, backed by Barbie creator Mattel, of the doll in multicultural outfits by Italian designer Eliana Lorena.

Two of the Barbies are wearing the burka, the loose fitting robe with veiled holes for the eyes which is worn by some Muslim women.

The collection of more than 500 Barbies is being sold at a Sotheby's charity auction in Florence, Italy, in aid of Save The Children.

The sale is part of Barbie celebrations for her 50th anniversary this year. >>> | Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Barack Obama Health Care Bill Dealt Blow by Joe Lieberman
THE TELEGRAPH: President Barack Obama's hopes of achieving health care reform have been dealt a body blow by Senator Joe Lieberman, once a Democratic vice-presidential candidate but now one of the party's bêtes noire.

The new threat to the centrepiece of his agenda came as Mr Obama's popularity sunk to its lowest level yet with a Rasmussen poll that gave him an approval rating of just 44 per cent – the lowest for any president at this stage of his first term.

Mr Lieberman, who became an Independent in 2006 after he failed to win the Democratic party primary but retained his Connecticut seat in the general election, is part of the Democratic caucus but has consistently opposed his former party at key moments.

His refusal to back the latest draft health care legislation incensed Democratic aides on Capitol Hill because they believed he had agreed to support a delicate compromise that gave the party the 60 votes it needs to prevent a Republican filibuster.

Mr Lieberman said bluntly that Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, had to scrap the proposal to expand the Medicare state health plan to people as young as 55 or he would not vote for it.

"It will add taxpayer costs," he told CBS News. "It will add to the deficit. It's unnecessary." In a subsequent meeting with Mr Reid, he said he would back a Republican filibuster against the bill if it contained the Medicare provision or allowed the government to sell insurance in competition with private companies.

Mr Lieberman's shock move threatened to doom Mr Reid's compromise plan, which had led Democrats to believe that a historic reform – the centrepiece of Mr Obama's agenda – was within their grasp this year.

In an interview recorded before Mr Lieberman's bombshell, Mr Obama had expressed optimism that the crucial breakthrough had been achieved. "I think it's going to pass out of the Senate before Christmas," he told CBS. >>> Toby Harnden in Washington | Monday, December 14, 2009

Eight Killed in Kabul Suicide Bomb Blast in Diplomatic Quarter
TIMES ONLINE: A massive suicide car bomb ripped through the Afghan capital this morning – at the gates of an upmarket hotel – killing at least eight people and wounding dozens more.

The explosion sent a thick plume of black smoke billowing into the sky above Kabul’s diplomatic district, close to the British and Danish embassies.

Eyewitness Ahmad Jawad said that he saw six bodies on the unmade road, in the immediate aftermath of the blast. Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior said later that eight people were killed; four men and four women. Another 40 people were wounded.

“I was in my car when the bomb exploded in front of me,” said Mr Jawad, 21. “The force of the blast turned my car around. When I got out I saw six bodies in front of the hotel.”

The blast came as President Hamid Karzai was due to attend a conference on how to tackle government corruption at the Foreign Ministry, in a separate part of the city. >>> Jerome Starkey in Kabul | Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Silvio Berlusconi Will Need Weeks of Treatment after Milan Attack
TIMES ONLINE: Silvio Berlusconi will need weeks of treatment for the physical injuries and mental trauma suffered when he was assaulted by a mentally ill man in Milan on Sunday, his doctors have said.

The Italian Prime Minister’s nose was broken and he lost two teeth and half a litre of blood in the attack, at the end of a political rally. He said it was a “miracle” he had not been blinded when a chunky souvenir made of marble and metal was thrown at his face.

His assailant, Massimo Tartaglia, an electronics engineer and video games inventor with no criminal record, is said to have told police that he hated Mr Berlusconi. He has been charged with aggravated assault.

Video footage shows Mr Tartaglia, 42, waving a replica of Milan cathedral in the air several times before hurling it at the Prime Minister’s head as he greeted wellwishers and signed autographs.

Mr Berlusconi’s doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, said the injuries were more serious than initially thought, and he was able to eat only with great difficulty. “I found him shaken, embittered, as if he had been woken from a bad dream — really disheartened,” he said. >>> Richard Owen in Rome | Tuesday, December 15, 2009

New Dark Age Alert! Pictured: Islamic Militants Stone Man to Death for Adultery in Somalia as Villagers Are Forced to Watch
MAIL ONLINE: This barbaric scene belongs in the Dark Ages, but pictures emerged today of a group of Islamic militants who forced villagers to watch as they stoned a man to death for adultery.

Mohamed Abukar Ibrahim, a 48-year-old, was buried in a hole up to his chest and pelted with rocks until he died.

The group responsible, Hizbul Islam, also shot dead a man they claimed was a murderer.

But the verdict was so shocking that it prompted a gun battle between rivals within the group that left three militants dead, witnesses said.

The executions took place yesterday in Afgoye, some 20 miles south-west of the capital of Mogadishu.

Hizbul Islam fighters ordered hundreds of residents to a field, where a rebel judge announced that the two men had confessed to murder and adultery.

A woman who had confessed to fornication had been sentenced to 100 lashes, he added.

'This is their day of justice,' the judge, Osman Siidow Hasan, told the crowd. 'We investigated and they confessed.' >>> Mail Foreign Service | Tuesday, December 15, 2009