Between The Headlines

1.Iran Feeling The crunch

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's president on Saturday announced the start of a plan to slash energy and food subsidies, part of government efforts to boost the country's ailing economy. The U.N. Security Council slapped a fourth round of sanctions on Iran last summer over its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, and there are signs those penalties are taking a toll on the nation's economy. On Saturday, thousands of police in riot gear were stationed at gas stations to protect them from possible rioters, while police were also seen patrolling streets and guarding banks. Please read "Iran - A Contrary Opinion" 4th Nov

2.UN OKs Israel-led blood diamonds resolution

Led by Israel, more than 60 other countries co-sponsored the resolution deepening the commitment by UN member states to halt the use of the diamond trade to fund armed conflicts across Africa. The United Nations General Assembly unanimously agreed Thursday to strengthen global efforts to curb the trade in so-called blood diamonds, saying better enforcement and reporting can help end violent conflicts fueled by illegal exploitation of the rough gems.'This is an impressive achievement for Israel,' says Ambassador Meron Reuven.

COMMENT: My, my how the world is changing. Can you imagine this scenario a few years back?

3.Obama signs Bush tax cuts extension into law

Nobody has been more opposed to the Obama policies than myself. But credit where credit is due. The man has moved from left to centre, infuriating the likes of Pelosi and CNN. This could easily be the death knell of his political career, but he did it anyway. Thats what a President does. He does what is needed for the American people. That was easy. Now comes the hard part. Budget cuts. Lets see how that goes.

QUESTION: Has the leopard changed his spots?

4.Erdogan exposed! Calls WikiLeaks docs 'gossip'

Turkish prime minister visibly upset by leaked cables which claim he has eight Swiss bank accounts with private funds and surrounds himself with fawning advisors; says US must 'hold cable writers accountable for slander'

COMMENT: The Turkish prime minister not paying his taxes? Maybe its his getaway stash...If the funds were obtained through political corruption, that falls under international money laundering laws and the Swiss system will not protect him. Somebody should follow this up.

5.Dead end: U.S. drops demand for Israeli settlement freeze in ongoing peace talks

The surprise announcement came nearly a month after Netanyahu and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed in principle on 90-day settlement moratorium extension in exchange for a package of incentives from Washington.

COMMENT: It took the administration two years and a ten month settlement freeze which came to nought, to work it out. They should have read my blog! Now, for goodness sakes, they are negotiating on how to get indirect talks started, because the peace loving palestinians are hurt. Shame! Ramallah is about 3 km from Jerusalem. Maybe we should all get together and buy Abbas a Blackberry. How pathetic.....

6.H ANALYSIS: Apparently the emphasis has shifted. It looks like Obama has decided to concentrate more on the economy and less on foreign policy. It took a thrashing at the polls for him to understand that he should concentrate on where his bread is buttered and not on foreign pita bread.

He who loses wealth loses much. He who loses a friend loses more. But he who loses his courage loses all.
-Miguel de Cervantes

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