Sarko’s cardinal emerges from the shadows

Nicholas Sarkozy is irremediably in vogue. Everywhere.

In the last months, the President of France arranged the liberation of the FARC’s hostages in Venezuela, pushed the new European Treaty to reform and signature in Lisbon, got divorced and married again with the Italian supermodel Carla Bruni and on the top of all this he was elected the personality of 2007 by the American Time Magazine.

Although his main acts were in the international scene, Sarkozy didn’t forget the French. Behind him, in the shadow of his hyper action, Sarko left the Cardinal – Prime minister, François Fillon.

On his own, Fillon gained the support of the French since he moved to Mattignon last May. Now that Sarko is losing some of his initial impetus he has stepped forward to grab the international attention for himself.

The tramp who fought communism

Down and out in Paris and London

George Orwell

Penguin Classics £7.99 pp.215

 

Devotee of George Orwell? You must meet Eric Blair.

For the pseudonymous writer who made a satire of communism in Animal Farm and the world a dark place to live in 1984, was made from a (real) starving dish-washer and a tramp roamer.

This making of of Orwell is in Down and out in Paris and London, a plotless travellogue diary of Orwell’s, by the time Eric, adventures as a voluntary poor in Paris and London.

Like a prince eager to mix with his people, the Eton boy, self proclaimed writer by shaving age, decided to dress in poor clothes to fell the meaning of poverty.

The scene is set in the Rue du Coq D’Or in Paris of the 30s ravaged by the economic crisis. In the name of dramatism, it all starts when Orwell finds himself out of money and unemployed.

Serbia: Nikolic wins election first round

A HARDLINE NATIONALIST edged ahead of the pro-Western incumbent in the first round of Serbia’s presidential election last Sunday.

According to the electoral commission, the leader of the Radical Party, Tomislav Nikolic, had 38% of the votes, 3% more than the President in office, Boris Tadic.

The final verdict is delayed to the run off on the 3rd of February.

Over the election hangs the expected declaration of independence of Kosovo, a province now dominated by pro-independence ethnic Albanians that Serbs see as the cradle of nationality.

Both candidates oppose the independence of the province, but only Nikolic is ready to affront those who recognize the statehood of Kosovo.

Hashim Thaçi – The man steering Kosovo to independence

When Hashim Thaçi was elected Prime Minsiter of the province of Kosovo, last Wednesday, he announced the long awaited independence was weeks away.

The former leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) is aware than a rash unrecognized independence might throw away the sacrifices and patience of more than a decade and he has vowed to make any declaration “in close co-ordination” with the United States and several EU members.

But that seems to be more diplomatic tact than any willingness to change plans.

UE set to recognize independent Kosovo

The European Union is set to recognize the independence of Kosovo in March, the portuguese newspaper, Diário de Notícias, has published today.

The Union will accept the declaration of independence of the Serbian province providing there has international support, at least from the United States, but the Slovakian Presidency refuses to confirm the plan will move on in March.

But, according to the Portuguese newspaper, Brussels has everything scheduled.

Harrowers hail drug prohibition

People in Harrow think highly of the government’s intention to upgrade cannabis.

At least two thirds of the interviewed claim prohibition is the right strategy to fight against drugs.

Dipesk Chainany, 27, said: “I do agree with the government. Just take drugs off the streets. It ruins kids’ lives. I tell you more, the smoking ban pushed people towards drugs. They cannot smoke in the clubs they turn to weed”.

Still more than 30% criticize the stance of government.

Robert James, 20, said: “I don’t agree with the government. If you look at the long-term effects of cannabis nothing has been wholly proven. It is more dangerous for people to say like ‘go and get it of some dodgy guy on the street’. There would be less crime surrounding drugs, and people who are conscious would not have to go to the corner risking their lives”.

Drug fight-strategy sinks in controversy

He may swear he never took them but Gordon Brown is having a major headache with drugs these days.

Next April, the prime minister is to unveil the next 10-year strategy to fight drugs and the consultation process has already sunk in deep controversy.

“The consultation process is a sham”, a spokesman of Transform, one leading think tank on narcotics, has said. “It’s very clear the next 10-year strategy is going to be identical to the last one”.

Criticism went off when the government announced the intention to reclassify cannabis after reports that stronger strains of the narcotic – known as “superskunk” – amounted to one third of the British market with startling implications for the mental health of frequent users.

Critics accused Gordon Brown of making policy free from evidence by standing by the prohibition principle. They point the decision to downgrade cannabis in 2004 lead to a significant fall on of the consume of the narcotic.

Brick Lane the town of artists

And… Action!

Unwary, she roams around staring at the windows of the fashion shops.

Two men in confident vintage hats ride down the dusty road of abandoned warehouses. Before reaching the corner, they dismount from the rolling reverberating bicycles and take them silently by hand.

They catch sight of her and speak to each other. The one with a thin gangster moustache goes like a bullet to her back. He raises his hands and with a quick movement covers up her eyes. “Hello Darling”, he may be whispering in her ear.

She has been caught.