Rave kandi ideas

German president sparks anger over paper threat
Germany’s president is under fire for allegedly threatening journalists not to publish a damaging story about his private home loan deal. According to the popular daily Bild, Christian Wulff said he was ready to “wage war” to prevent publication. He is reported to have tried to contact its Editor in Chief Kai Diekmann and threatened legal action. Wulff is also said to have telephoned the CEO of Springer publishing house to ask whether he could exert any influence. It is a worrying sign for Lutz Tillmanns from the German Press Council: “this attempt to influence Bild and its publications I think this is really alarming. He has chosen a disastrous way. But thank God, Bild did not obey, and they published the report.” Last week it was reported that Wulff’s and his wife had received a low interest loan of half a million euros from wealthy businessman Egon Geerkens in order to buy a home. It is an embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel. The holder of the mainly ceremonial post of president is meant to be of impeccable moral standing and to embody a national conscience. More about: Germany, Media, Political scandal, Press freedom

Former Israeli PM faces further corruption charges
Former Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, who is already on trial over corruption allegations is now facing further charges. It is alleged that he accepted bribes during his time as Mayor of Jerusalem in the 1990s. The new accusations relate to the construction of the Holyland towers, an enormous luxury apartment complex on a Jerusalem hilltop. It is claimed the equivalent of millions of euros changed hands to secure planning permission for the building. Olmert was Israeli prime minister from 2006 to 2009, but his three years in office were dogged by corruption allegations and he eventually agreed to stand down saying that he wanted to clear his name. More about: Corruption, Ehud Olmert, Israel, Trial

Lady Gaga?�spices up?�New Year’s Eve celebrations in New York
Singer Lady Gaga kisses City Mayor Michael Bloomberg after performing during New Year’s Eve celebrations in Times Square in New York. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz More about: Ceremony, New Year celebrations, New York, USA

Festive spending hits highs and lows in Europe
Christmas cheer was in short supply for Italian retailers. As analysts say austerity measures prompted households there to cut spending. The shoe and clothing sector was worst hit with Italians spending 48 euros less than the average of the past five years. In the UK a strike by London tube workers hit the traditional Boxing Day sales experts predict a boom today with over three billion euros expected to be spent. More about: Christmas, Consumer Confidence, Economic crisis, Italy, United Kingdom

Mayweather sentence delayed
Floyd Mayweather’s three month sentence for Domestic battery has been delayed due to prior boxing commitments. the undefeated 34-year-old prizefighter had been sentenced in December for a violent attack on the mother of three of his children. But a Las Vegas Judge delayed the sentence due to contractual obligations to fight in May – although Mayweather has no opponent as yet. It is now believed Mayweather will start his 90-days in jail on June 1. More about: Boxing, Justice, Suspended sentence, USA

Japanese utility company asks for more bailout funds
Compensation claims have forced the Tokyo Electric Power company to ask for more government bailout funds amid growing speculation Japan’s biggest utility could be nationalised. TEPCO is looking for almost seven billion euros as it struggles to meet the claims of victims of the nuclear crisis at its Fukushima power plant. The country’s Trade and Industry Minister has said he wants the company to consider temporary public control. More about: Fukushima, Japan, Nuclear Energy

Winter dip in China
A winter swimmer jumps with a mop into the icy water of the Songhua River in Harbin. REUTERS/Sheng Li More about: China, Odd

Republicans ready for Iowa caucuses
A high turnout is expected among Republican voters in Iowa – the first US state to cast its choice over who will represent the Grand Old Party in the race for the White House. Mitt Romney leads the field of seven candidates according to the latest polls but there is little difference between them, making the outcome too close to call. The former Massachusetts governor has largely ignored the midwestern state but the changing fortunes of his rivals have seen him emerge as the slight frontrunner. But Ron Paul, the small government, anti-war libertarian Texan Congressman enjoys widespread support in the largely rural community. Some forecasters are expecting Texas governor, Rick Santorium to spring a suprise though as a result of his huge leap in popularity over the last few days. Tea party favourite Michele Bachmann could be among the biggest losers if she ends up out of the top three places as the also-rans often then lack the money and momentum to push on. ABC news correspondent Aaron Katersy told euronews why it is such a close contest: “The Republican party is divided : there are the social conservatives, the cultural conservatives, the fiscal conservatives. There is not one unifying candidate that seems to have emerged as the one to gather everyone under the umbrella.” All of which could favour the US President Barack Obama come November when the contest becomes a straight two horse race. More about: American politics, Barack Obama, Presidential elections, Republicans, USA

Renewed clashes during mass rallies in Syria
Pro-democracy activists say bloody clashes erupted in several Syrian cities on Friday as hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets. Syrian security forces killed at least 12 demonstrators in Hama and Deraa. Five government troops were also shot dead. Video footage from the city of Homs shows the convoy of vehicles belonging to monitors from the Arab League being halted by the sheer weight of demonstrators. The monitors are continuing to evaluate Syria’s commitment to peaceful reform. Amateur video from the city of Idlib shows the monitors in yellow safety vests wading through a sea of people on foot. Activists say they were keen to show the strength of their movement. The London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claims as many as 250,000 people took part in rallies in Idlib and Hama provinces on Friday. Other massive protests were held in the Daraa province and the Damascus suburb of Douma. More about: Arab League, Bashar al-Assad, Clashes and riots, Syria