Germany - president sparks anger over paper threat to publish story of private home loan deal

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ 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.

USA - Rick Santorum's Closing Iowa Arguments

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by AssociatedPress

Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum uses an appearance in Iowa to criticize rival Republican Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama. Polls show Santorum quickly gaining ground ahead of Tuesday's Iowa Caucuses. (Jan. 2)

USA - Mitt Romney: Barack Obama Has Not Fulfilled Promises

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by AssociatedPress

At a campaign stop in Davenport, Iowa the day before the caucuses, GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney said President Barack Obama has not fulfilled the promises he made as a candidate four years ago. (Jan. 2)

Turkey - relations with Gaza's Hamas have grown closer with visit by Ismail Haniyeh

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ Turkey's relations with Gaza's Hamas leadership have grown closer with a visit by the Palestinian territory's prime minister Ismail Haniyeh.

In Istanbul he toured the ship on which nine Turkish activists were shot dead by Israeli commandos trying to prevent an aid flotilla from reaching Gaza. The Israelis feared it was transporting arms.

Chile - elderly man killed when home is engulfed by flames as fires rage in south

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Jan 2, 2012

An elderly man is killed when his home is engulfed by flames as fires rage in southern Chile, destroying homes, a wood mill and forcing hundreds to evacuate.

Syria - Nabil Elaraby says military has withdrawn from residential areas from country's cities

Uploaded by telegraphtv on Jan 2, 2012

Arab League Secretary General Nabil Elaraby says Syria's military has withdrawn from residential areas and is on the outskirts of the country's cities as footage from Homs reveals the wreckage left after months of fighting.

Iraq - Fears for country´s minority Christians which has more than halved since

Published on Jan 2, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.net/ The number of Christians in Iraq has more than halved since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003, according to UN figures. The amount is now down to around half a million.

In Baghdad Iraqi soldiers patrol the largest Christian neighbourhood. Over the past 9 years its estimated that over 900 Christians have been killed and 54 churches attacked, and sectarian tensions are heightened at Christmas.

Britain - Man charged with Salford murder of Indian student Anuj Bidve

Uploaded by BBCNewsHeadlines on Jan 2, 2012

A 20-year-old man has been charged with the murder of the Indian student Anuj Bidve, who was shot in the head in Salford on Boxing Day.

Kiaran Stapleton, from Ordsall, was charged on Sunday.

Nazir Afzal, the Crown Prosecution Service's Chief Prosecutor, told a news conference: "There is sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction."

Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley, who has overall command of the inquiry, said: "This remains a complex investigation and the fact we have charged someone does not mean the investigation is complete."