| NY candidate defends gays speech The Republican candidate to be New York governor defends himself after telling supporters children should not be "brainwashed" into accepting homosexuality. bbc.co.uk |
Russia and Venezuela sign deals Russia is to build a nuclear power plant in Venezuela as part of a series of energy deals between the countries. bbc.co.uk |
France: Pension, Retirement Protests Spark Oil Shortages As demonstrations over President Sarkozy's controversial retirement and pension reforms rage, France teeters toward a fuel crisis feedproxy.google.com |
Bahrain election puts Shia opposition as single largest group Al-Wifaq party takes 18 of 40 seats in chamber of deputies in system dominated by Sunni monarchyBahrain's main Shia opposition movement has won all the seats it contested in the parliamentary election, again emerging as the single largest group in a political system dominated by the Sunni monarchy.Al-Wifaq took 18 of 40 seats in the chamber of deputies. Thirteen others were won by Sunni candidates loyal to the government of the Al Khalifa dynasty, which rules over a Shia majority in the Gulf island state. Nine other candidates, mostly pro-government, will fight a second round next week.Al-Wifaq's leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, hailed the result as an improvement, winning one more seat than the last election in 2006. But the movement, and another opposition group, complained that hundreds of their supporters had been unable to cast their votes yesterday .The justice minister, Sheikh Khaled bin Ali Al Khalifa, insisted that voting was fair – while promising to investigate any irregularities.Al-Wifaq reported Saudi nationals and Bahraini soldiers being bussed into one polling station after protests about insufficient monitoring. Turnout was 67%, down on 72% in 2006.Sectarian tensions rose ahead of the election following a crackdown on rioting in August and the arrest of 250 people, including 23 Shia activists who have been charged with terrorism and conspiracy. Their trial is due to begin later this week.The election was watched closely across the Arab world.Bahraini and foreign analysts and diplomats fear reforms begun by King Hamad in 2002 may now end and the Sunni-Shia gap widen. Pro-western Bahrain, close to and worried by Iran, is a base for the US 5th fleet, as well as a major international financial and business centre.The structure of its political system – the lower house of parliament can be overruled by the appointed upper house, or Shura council – means the status quo is unlikely to change. The opposition also complained about gerrymandering that gave automatic advantages to Sunnis.However, there is nervousness in the Sunni establishment about al-Wifaq and its ability to maintain its Islamist identity while working within the constitution. Privately, government officials often compare it to Hezbollah in Lebanon, although there is no evidence that it is involved in violence or has any formal links to Iran.Sheikh Salman is a charismatic figure who persuaded some Wifaq supporters that taking part in the election was the best way to secure community interests.BahrainMiddle EastIan Blackguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Olympic Logo Strays From Tradition Olympic logos and mascots usually get plenty of attention. But Canada's choice of emblem is among the most curious: It's a pile of rocks. online.wsj.com |