Valérie Trierweiler to Remain in Hospital for Several More Days

THE GUARDIAN: François Hollande's partner was said to have suffered a 'very strong emotional shock' after hearing claims of affair

A top aide to France's first lady says she will remain in hospital for several more days to recover from the shock of a tabloid report that her partner, François Hollande, is having an affair with an actor.

Valerie Trierweiler's chief of staff, Patrice Biancone, said on Monday she could stay in hospital for a further six or eight days. She was initially expected to leave the hospital on Monday. He said she suffered a "very strong emotional shock" and needed rest. One official said she was receiving treatment for "a severe case of the blues".

Hollande has never married. He and Trierweiler have lived together since 2007 and she occupies the so-called "madame wing" of the presidential palace.

Meanwhile, the "Hollande affair" has taken an unexpectedly sinister turn with claims – and counter-claims – that the flat used for the president's alleged love tryst with an actor was linked to the Corsican mafia.

French media reported that the apartment where François Hollande met Julie Gayet was lent to her by a friend who was involved with two mobsters. » | Kim Willsher and Anne Penketh in Paris | Monday, January 13, 2014

Britain's Mean Streets – Immigrant Life in the UK

The economic migrants looking for a better life who end up in the gutter. The UK is bitterly divided on the EU and immigration. As the opening up of Europe's borders creates a new wave of poverty on its streets, we witness the deprivation and anger as it reaches crisis point.

Nigeria Criminalises Same-sex Relationships

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD: Abuja: Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan signed a bill that criminalises same-sex relationships, the presidency said, defying pressure from Western governments to respect gay and lesbian rights.

The bill, which contains penalties of up to 14 years in prison and bans gay marriage, same-sex "amorous relationships" and membership of gay rights groups, was passed by the national assembly last May but Jonathan had delayed signing it into law.

Two similar bills have been proposed since 2006 but failed to make it through parliament.

"Yes, Mr President had signed the bill into law, a statement will be issued on it within the week," presidency spokesman Reuben Abati said.

As in much of sub-Saharan Africa, anti-gay sentiment and persecution of homosexuals is rife in Nigeria, so the new legislation is likely to be popular. Jonathan is expected to seek re-election in 2015 but is under pressure after several dozen lawmakers and a handful of regional governors defected to the opposition in the past two months.

Under existing Nigerian federal law, sodomy is punishable by jail, but this bill legislates for a much broader crackdown on homosexuals and lesbians, who already live a largely underground existence. » | Felix Onuah | Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Auslandsjournal: Die Netzwerke der Salafisten in Europa

Ariel Scharon: Israel trauert um ehemaligen Regierungschef

Mit einer Trauerfeier haben Staatsgäste aus aller Welt in Jerusalem Abschied von Ariel Scharon genomment. Auf seinem Landsitz wurde er beigesetzt.

Religious Charter Sparks Furor in Canada

Public consultations underway on contentious proposal to ban civil servants from wearing religious symbols in Quebec.

Meet Al-Qaeda's New Poster Boy for the Middle East

Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: The fall of the Iraqi city of Fallujah back into the hands of al-Qaeda has shown the power of the movement's new leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi

The FBI “most wanted” mugshot shows a tough, swarthy figure, his hair in a jailbird crew-cut. The $10 million price on his head, meanwhile, suggests that whoever released him from US custody four years ago may now be regretting it.

Taken during his years as a detainee at the US-run Camp Bucca in southern Iraq, this is the only known photograph of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the new leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq and Syria. But while he may lack the photogenic qualities of his hero, Osama bin Laden, he is fast becoming the new poster-boy for the global jihadist movement.

Well-organised and utterly ruthless, the ex-preacher is the driving force behind al-Qaeda’s resurgence throughout Syria and Iraq, putting it at the forefront of the war to topple President Bashar al-Assad and starting a fresh campaign of mayhem against the Western-backed government in Baghdad. » | Colin Freeman | Saturday, January 11, 2014

Right March: Anti-EU Nationalist Parties Surge Amid Economic Hardship Fears

Nothing seems to be able to stop Europe's lurch to the political right. With only tentative signs of economic growth and precious little good news for deeply indebted countries like Greece and France, it's a movement that seems difficult to reverse. RT's Peter Oliver takes a closer look at a continent in search of new answers to hard problems.

Koran Handouts in Germany: Freedom of Religion vs Fears of Islamism

Islamic radicals have been distributing free copies of the Koran in downtown Berlin - sparking concerns about the spread of Muslim extremism in Europe. There's nothing illegal however about the move - which those behind it say is freedom of expression. RT's Egor Piskunov investigates.

Koran Handouts in Germany: Freedom of religion... by RTnews

BBC Whitewash? Armed Forces Imam: UK 'Not At War With Islam'

Britain's armed forces first Muslim chaplain, Imam Asim Hafiz

BBC: The British armed forces' first Muslim chaplain says there is no conflict between being a Muslim and fighting for Britain.

Imam Asim Hafiz also challenged Muslim extremists who claimed the UK and US were waging a war against Islam.

Referring to people like the men who killed Fusilier Lee Rigby, he said: "These individuals are misled. They are not educated. They haven't necessarily studied the Koran... and have no appreciation of what the faith is about.

"To consider an unarmed individual in a time of peace to be a legitimate target for murder is absolutely unacceptable." Watch BBC video » | Monday, January 13, 2014

François Hollande's Partner Valérie Trierweiler in Hospital with 'Exhaustion'

THE GUARDIAN: Journalist has been prescribed rest by doctors after learning of claims that French president was having affair with Julie Gayet

Valérie Trierweiler, the partner of the French president, François Hollande, has been taken to hospital with "exhaustion" following claims that he has been having an affair, it has emerged.

After hearing of Hollande's alleged trysts with the actor Julie Gayet, Trierweiler, a journalist, was taken to hospital where doctors prescribed rest. Trierweiler's office told L'Express magazine she had been taken to hospital on Friday afternoon and was due to be released on Monday.

An unidentified Élysée official told Le Monde that Trierweiler was suffering a "severe case of the blues". » | Anne Penketh in Paris | Sunday, January 12, 2014

Al-Qaeda Armies Seize Entire Iraqi Cities in Chaos Left Behind by War

The black flag of Al-Qaeda was this week raised over two Iraq cities which are now under the control of Jihadists bent on creating a new Islamic nation. But the real blood-letting is yet to begin, warn experts, as the Iraqi army and tribal militias mobilise, and prepare to counter-attack.

German Ex-Muslim Reveals Absolute Truth about Islam, Explains What Is Going On in Europe, the West

Inside Story: Iran and the West: Thawing of Relations?

As a British delegation visits Tehran, we ask if it is to renew ties or to explore business opportunities.

Ariel Sharon's Body Lies in State in Jerusalem

BBC: Ariel Sharon death: Israelis pay respects at Knesset: Israelis are filing past the body of ex-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who has died aged 85 of heart failure after eight years in a coma. » | Sunday, January 12, 2014

France's Hollande Attacks Report of Affair with Actress

Julie Gayet has appeared in more than 50 films

BBC: French President Francois Hollande says he is considering suing a magazine which claimed he was having an affair with actress Julie Gayet, 41.

Mr Hollande described the report as an "attack on the right to privacy", but did not deny the allegation.

Friday's print edition of the weekly tabloid Closer features seven pages about the alleged affair.

Closer later said it would remove its website version of the story at Ms Gayet's request.

"Julie Gayet's lawyer contacted us to request we remove from the website all mention of this relationship," Laurence Pieau, editor of Closer, told Agence France-Presse news agency, adding that the removal would probably take place by Friday evening.

No action was announced about the print version however.

Ms Pieau said there had been no contact with the presidential palace. (+ video) » | Friday, January 10, 2014

Sochi Safety: Unprecedented Security in Place around Winter Olympic Host City

An unprecedented level of security is in place around the Russian city of Sochi, the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic games. Tens of thousands of police officers have been drafted in, with the sole aim of keeping citizens, visitors and athletes safe. RT's Paul Scott takes a look.

Turkish Bizarre: MPs Throw Tablets, Punch Colleagues in Heated Brawl

'Don't Frack with My Future!' Hundreds of Water-contamination Complaints Filed in US

The states in the U.S. enjoying an energy boom due to fracking, are having to deal with the backlash that comes with it. A new report found that people who live in those states have filed hundreds of complaints of well-water becoming contaminated because of oil and gas drilling. Further casting doubt on claims by industry bosses that these problems are rare. RT's Marina Portnaya reports.

New Nationalism: Far-right Voices Get Louder in Japan

Some parts of Japanese society want to drag the pacifist nation to the right. Nationalist groups are growing louder in their calls for the country to take a harder-line against enemies home and abroad. RT's Aleksey Yaroshevsky looks at the possible political repercussions for the entire region.