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Stuart Broad gives England winning edge – off the middle of his own bat

2012-01-30T16:03:00.003-08:00

Stuart Broad gets on top of the bowling on day three of the second Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

The phrase "a go-to man" may be modern and inelegant but we know what it means. In today's terminology Winston Churchill may have been the "go-to politician" of the 1940s; Bruce Forsyth is obviously a "go-to light entertainer" whatever the decade. And currently Stuart Broad is England's "go-to cricketer". He is the man to get the team out of a hole. In the more distant past it was Ian Botham; not so long ago it was Andrew Flintoff.

It was to Broad that Andrew Strauss went on the first day, when his beanpole fast bowler defied the conditions to take four for 47 on the sort of track that can induce nightmares among fast bowlers. And on the third morning out Broad came to bat with a bravado that only Adnan Akmal in Dubai has matched in the series so far. Cracking an unbeaten 58 from 62 balls, Broad gave England a route to victory in a pulsating morning session, during which 116 runs were scored from 26 overs.

Broad the batsman was infuriating in Dubai, especially in the second innings, when he was out trying to clear the fielder at long-on. Such a dismissal felt like a dereliction of duty; it also felt an unjustifiably arrogant way to go.

England were in the mire yet here was a cricketer with pretensions to being a genuine all-rounder (after all he already has a Test century to his name) gifting his wicket and ensuring that the game did not have to drift into the fourth day.

Having criticised his approach to batting in Dubai we must now applaud his derring-do in Abu Dhabi. This time the match was in the balance (his only excuse in Dubai might have been that the game was up); England had faltered badly on Thursday evening. Their impetus lost, there was a danger than they might subside meekly against the Pakistan spinners on Friday morning.

It was immediately apparent that Broad was not going to die wondering. His first stroke was one of those paddle-sweeps; he had been dismissed in Dubai – in the first innings – trying one of those and received some flak in the process.

This time he made enough contact to get off the mark. Here was a reminder of the margin between success and failure. It was a brave little stroke. But had he succumbed again pencils — even this one, I suspect — would have been sharpened.

It takes a special bravery to attack in this manner on the international stage, when every shot is under the microscope, to open oneself up to the possibility of failing spectacularly as well as succeeding. The safer option is to spend a bit more time prodding and poking, thereby avoiding too much censure.

Broad is a big enough character to take the more dangerous road. Which, of course, is what Botham was always prepared to do, Flintoff too.

Thereafter Broad played some terrific shots: a six-over midwicket off Abdur Rehman; a sumptuous drive over mid-off against Saeed Ajmal, an even more startling one against Umar Gul in his first over with the second new ball.

There were some inside edges as well but usually the ball sped from the middle of his bat. Broad was always aggressive but seldom reckless.

This was a treat for the crowd. Yes, there was a crowd, substantially bigger than we have sometimes witnessed when Pakistan have been playing in their own country. Post Friday prayers, the grassy knoll to the right of the pavilion filled up with locals. It is not an easy ground to reach without wheels but on arrival there was the compensation of knowing that there was no admission charge, an enlightened policy.

There was a proper atmosphere on what might well qualify as the best day of Test cricket in the UAE so far.

Immediately after lunch Broad was left stranded. He might have received more support but it is a feature of this England side, unlike the one inherited by Duncan Fletcher back in 1999, that there are always possibilities of the sort of tail-end wag that can decide the outcome of a match.

On Friday Graeme Swann only flickered. Yet he hit three of the most sumptuous boundaries of the match. No one times the ball better; he always offers hope. Likewise Jimmy Anderson is one of the most improved batsmen in the team. Only Monty Panesar can be regarded as a rabbit (though remember Cardiff 2009).

But it was Broad who led the charge. Soon he was out there with the ball, less flamboyantly, bottling up one end, trying to induce an error. He could not break through.

But if Strauss is starting to wonder where the next wicket is coming from on Saturday we know in which direction he will be looking. Towards Broad.

Stuart Broad: I don't think it was reckless hitting, more selective

2012-01-30T16:03:00.001-08:00

England's Stuart Broad dives to make his ground during his crucial innings against Pakistan in the second Test. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

England may not be in the subcontinent, but as this absorbing second Test in Abu Dhabi has developed they have been left in no doubt that they are the away team. A crowd that was estimated by the stadium authorities at 14,000 built up in the evening session, after Friday prayers, and relished the rare boundaries in the defiant fifth-wicket partnership between Azhar Ali and Asid Shafiq, the two youngest batsmen in Pakistan's top six.

That was no surprise to Stuart Broad, who had been given a personal indication of the local support for Misbah-ul-Haq's team when he took a taxi on Thursday. "He was pretty confident they were going to destroy us," Broad said of his driver, one of the tens of thousands of Pakistanis who work in the Gulf. "I had a different view."

Broad should have booked the same driver for the close of the third day, having played the leading role in establishing England's precious first-innings lead of 70 by hitting 58 of the 100 runs added for the last four wickets. It was the ninth time he has gone past 50 in 55 Test innings, with his sole century having come against Pakistan two summers ago in the Lord's Test that will always be remembered for very different reasons, and lifted his batting average closer to 30 – and to parity with a bowling average of 31.

"It was more a personal decision," Broad said of his positive approach – although he insisted he was not thinking of his Abu Dhabi cabbie. "Looking how difficult it seemed to defend against the pressure of the quick-turning ball, I thought my best option would be to try and manoeuvre the field and counterpunch. You have to choose your times to try and grab momentum. Once I hit a couple of boundaries everyone seemed to move out, and I could pick up some singles and twos. I don't think it was reckless hitting, I was a bit more selective and calculated. It paid off, and that lead was pretty important."

Azhar has said Pakistan would back their spinners to defend a lead of anything over 150, leaving them with a modest target of another 100 runs from their last six wickets. But Broad retains more confidence in England's batting – although he is braced for another nerve-jangling day.

"We don't want to be chasing much more than 250," he said, "because scoreboard pressure plays a huge role in Test matches like this. If the wicket plays like it has and maybe gets better, we should be able to chase down 150. It's turning slower. If it starts turning again – and it will be interesting to see what that new ball does – we've got to keep them to as little as possible. Even 150 to 200 is going to be a bit of a nipper. It's going to be tight Test cricket."

Broad praised Monty Panesar for his performance, the first time he has taken three wickets in a Test innings since England's defeat by India in Chennai during December 2008 – with his last four-wicket performance coming five months before that, against South Africa at Lord's. "Speaking to him on the first morning he said it felt like his debut," Broad said. "He was obviously nervous. But he's really built his confidence throughout the Test match."

Azhar and Broad said the teams had relished the atmosphere generated by the Pakistan supporters on the grassy bank who gathered on one side of the ground, before they spilled into the seats at the open end opposite the pavilion.

Previously, that stand had held a few dozen Barmy Army regulars plus a scattering of other England followers, allowing the players to hear David Lloyd opening the TV coverage on Wednesday.

"The first morning of the match, we could hear Bumble commentating," Broad said. "We had to ask the umpire to turn the speakers down. So it was great to have a bit of a crowd intoday – credit to the stadium to let the fans in for free because I think it built up the atmosphere. It was quite lively towards the end, actually."

Kevin Pietersen was off the field for most of the last hour after missing the chance to run out Azhar from short cover when Pakistan's lead was only 23. The injury was described as nothing serious - England must hope that the miss does not prove crucial..

Abu Dhabi denies 'racial-segregation policy' for second Test crowd

2012-01-30T16:02:00.003-08:00

Sport
Pakistan v England 2011-12

Abu Dhabi denies 'racial-segregation policy' for second Test crowd

• Families-only area forced Pakistan supporters elsewhere
• England supporters on the opposite side of the ground

Andy Wilson in Abu Dhabi
guardian.co.uk, Friday 27 January 2012 22.02 GMT
Article history

Pakistani fans congregate on a grass bank for the third day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi, which allowed free entry. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

The Abu Dhabi authorities staging the second Test between England and Pakistan have denied there was any racial segregation or discrimination in their use of a families-only section on one side of the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

There was a stark contrast between the grass bank on one side of the ground which filled up with thousands of Pakistan supporters, mostly young men, and the "hill" opposite which was much more sparsely populated. It had been designated a "families-only area", which ruled it out of bounds for the majority of the Pakistan supporters in the ground, and was mostly populated by England supporters – although there were some families with young children wearing Pakistan shirts.

However, there were no restrictions on the seating in the main stands at either end of the ground – with free admission to all but the corporate areas – and Pakistanis, England supporters and others seemed to mingle happily throughout the third day of the match, which attracted a crowd officially estimated at 14,000, far more than has attended any of the previous five days of the series.

A spokesperson for the ground authorities, responding on the BBC's Test Match Special to a complaint of racial segregation in the family enclosure, said: "Any spectator arriving with wife or child would have been allowed to sit on the grass bank allocated for family use. There was no segregation on the basis of race."

Dilawar Mani, the chief executive of the Abu Dhabi club, later added, in response to a complaint on the Pakpassion.net website: "I can only assure you in that trying to separate the English fans from Pakistani supporters had absolutely nothing to do with racism. I am disappointed that you would imply that to be the case.

"You may not be aware that very often, when you find large communities gathering at a stadium, a separation policy is adopted to mitigate confrontation and any threat to either community by an emotionally charged and passionate segment of fans."

Australia thrash India to complete series whitewash in Adelaide

2012-01-30T16:02:00.001-08:00

Australia win by 298 runs and clinch series 4-0

Brad Haddin, centre, of Australia celebrates with Ricky Ponting after catching Umesh Yadav to clinch the series. Photograph: Brandon Malone/Reuters

Australia took India's last four wickets on Saturday morning to crush the tourists by 298 runs in the fourth test and record a 4-0 series sweep.

India had resumed on 166 for six in their second innings chasing an improbable 500 runs for victory but their tail-end batsmen lasted just 58 minutes on a hot and sunny fifth morning of the match.

The end came when the spinner Nathan Lyon (four for 63) dismissed Umesh Yadav caught behind for one, condemning India to a humiliating eighth successive overseas Test defeat after last year's 4-0 whitewash in England.

The series defeat in England saw India relinquish the top spot in the Test world rankings but they had arrived Australia confident they could claim a first series triumph there.

It was not even close as Australia won the first Test in Melbourne by 122 runs and followed that with victories by an innings and 68 runs in Sydney and an innings and 37 runs in Perth.

With world-class batsmen such as Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman having failed to fire yet again on Friday, there was little hope of India rescuing a draw by batting through the final day at the Adelaide Oval.

The nighwatchman Ishant Sharma was the first to go in the third over of the morning when he got a nick to a delivery from Ryan Harris and was caught behind without any addition to the overnight score.

Wriddhiman Saha, standing in as wicketkeeper for the banned India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, was dismissed in the next over in similar style for three.

Zaheer Khan hit a typically bullish 15 off 18 balls before swinging at a short Ben Hilfenhaus delivery and getting a thick edge to David Warner at short cover, leaving Yadav and Ravi Ashwin (15 not out) as the final partnership.

Pakistan v England, day four – as it happened

2012-01-30T16:01:00.001-08:00

KP begins a miserable journey of his own. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

Morning. It was Smyth's birthday last night so the least popular member of the sport de... the hardest working member of the sport desk was nominated to remain sober, go top bed early, wakes up early and sub for him on the OBO. I can honestly say going to a social event with my colleagues sober was one of the worst experiences of my life – even worse than working with my colleagues sober – and I was quite glad to slip away. Incidentally, I dreamed I was getting KP to guess people's middle names. He even knew Emile Heskey's is Ivanhoe. I woke up as we got to Ian Bell. It's R for Ruthless, KP.

The start of today's play will be crucial. A quick couple of wickets and we're into Pakistan's lucious long tail and England could have a chase of 100-150 or so. A target of over 200 will be very tricky for England though.

Tom Peach's email was waiting for me when I got into the office: "Was very unhappy the Indians were sent packing in only one hour this morning. Sachin & Bradman both defined by the number 99. I would think any target over 200 will have England jittery today," he writes from Sydney. "That said the Ashes next year is already looking feisty (too early to be thinking Ashes?)" 5.30am on a Saturday morning is too early to think of anything.

In three days I am flying out to Chile for three weeks, which is lovely. But the journey is 24 hours, which is terrible. Mainly because it takes about five minutes on the bus before my friend and I start to quarrel. A few years ago we went to Vietnam and had a fistfight just before takeoff about who had the window seat (it said window seat on my ticket, the injustice still burns) before we realised we were about to be shot by air marshalls. So today's riff can be Terrible Journeys Of My Time.

Here's Patrick Murphy: "Foggy in Abu Dhabi this am Tom. Any word on the start time?" Ah, that Abu Dhabi fog. We're due to start on time, as far as I'm aware. Stuart Broad has just been on the telly, and he reckons England would be happy to chase anything up to 250. Dave Langlois doesn't agree with him though: "Jittery with 200? Much less. I'm really quite amazed that most pundits are giving England as favourites in this situation. With their fragility and pusillanimity against this excellent spin attack they'd be pushed in last innings to get any more than a ton, 120 at most."

Mike Selvey is on hand to give actual analysis rather than my wittering: "If Abu Dhabi were Hove or Scarborough (and the surrounding areas look a bit like that if you imagine the tide a long long way out), us bowlers would be rubbing our hands right now. First thing, you could not see beyond the wall of the hotel garden and on to the golf course next door and the mist still hangs low over the ground.

"It is damp and when the new ball comes around in nineteen overs time, it ought to hoop around. By then, England will hope that the spinners have made further inroads, (although it might be worth giving Jimmy a crack
first up).

"Meanwhile young Copley, Getty's ace snapper has been instructed to go into the surrounding wastelands and take some atmospheric pictures of the ground. Look forward to seeing those taken through the gloom." I've already got Photoshop open to crop a few of those when they come through on the wires.

62nd over: Pakistan 126-4 (lead by 55; Azhar 47, Shafiq 35) Swann starts and Azhar picks up a single from the first ball of the day. Shafiq has a bit of a whizz near the end of the over that was a risky shot for the first over of the day but he survives. It's his 26th birthday today by the way.

63rd over: Pakistan 127-4 (Azhar 48, Shafiq 35) Mike Selvey suggested England might try Jimmy early on as the fog rolls in but they've gone for Broad instead. His first ball is nudged away to mid-on. Shafiq sees off the rest of the over fairly easily. "Worst journey ever?" asks Andy Lindon. "To Leicester. It doesn't matter where from. Just to Leicester."

64th over: Pakistan 129-4 (Azhar 50, Shafiq 35) Azhar brings up his 50 with a tuckaway to square leg, the half-century came off 143 balls. He then gives Cook, at short leg, a quarter-chance but it went very quickly and he didn't have reasonable time to react.

65th over: Pakistan 129-4 (Azhar 50, Shafiq 35)Shafiq is content to block away at Broad. He has a drive at the third ball of the over but KP dives to save the runs. A maiden for Broad. "I didn't drink either last night- despite best attempts of work colleagues," says James Gordon. "On such sacrifices are sporting triumphs built. England to wrap up the win sometime after tea. Thanks to me and you." How often to people hold up gin and make jokes about Gordon's gin to you? Once already today, I suppose.

66th over: Pakistan 130-4 (leads by 60; Azhar 51, Shafiq 35) Panesar is on for Swann. He beats Shafiq all ends up with a lovely delivery but it misses the edge. Trott's off feeling a bit poorly so Finn is fielding in his place. Lord Selve has some advice for Andy Lindon: "Take the positives from the Leicester experience," he says, I imagine tapping a pipe and looking wise. "It follows that the best journey in the world must be from Leicester."

67th over: Pakistan 132-4 (lead by 62; Azhar 53, Shafiq 35) Broad beats Azhar with a ball that pitches just outside off and moves away slightly – England miss the edge again. On Sky Naser Hussain reckons, Pakistan should try scoring some actual runs, while they can. Azhar gets a couple down to deep square leg to finish the over.

68th over: Pakistan 136-4 (lead by 66; Azhar 53, Shafiq 39)Monty has a shout for lbw but it was probably just missing leg stump. England, correctly, don't go for the review. Shafiq then has a biff at a loose ball to score the first boundary of the day. "Not been that bad," says Tom Carver, "but I'm in the middle of a journey that has so far involved three boats, then a bus, two rickshaws, another bus, an aeroplane, a taxi, another three ferries and will end in a taxi. That is what is involved in getting from Malapascua island in the Philippines to Guangzhou, China. And the joy of modern tech is that I can follow the cricket all the way."

69th over: Pakistan 141-4 (lead by 71; Azhar 54, Shafiq 43) Azhar pushes a single to leg for the first ball of the over. He gets better too: a lovely four off a full delivery ends the over. "Big night on tour last night," trumpets Mike Selvey. "Pot of tea in room, rerun of Thelma and Louise on one of the OSN movie channels, the arse end of an early Harry Potter and The Golden Franchise, Times crossword, and sleep. We know how to live I can tell you." That's till more rock and roll than two waters and a shoulder massage from Smyth.

WICKET! Pakistan 142-5 (Shafiq c Andeson b Panesar 43) Just as I was typing that Pakistan were looking relatively comfortable, Monty gets one to turn and Jimmy takes a brilliant catch at slip. Very sharp reactions there.

71st over: Pakistan 143-5 (lead by 73; Azhar 56, Akmal 0) Swann's back on. Big shout for a catch off Akmal after the ball flies to Cook at short leg but it came off the batsman's pad. "On the plus side you don't have the beer fear this morning," says Niall Mullen. "On the down side you've now realised the impossibility of social interaction without alcohol and the idiocy of social interaction with it."

72nd over: Pakistan 143-5 (lead by 73; Azhar 56, Akmal 0) Maiden from Monty. "I just walked for about two miles to visit Billingsgate market," says rdemslie "It was the end of a strange and rambling drunken evening. Fish smell wasn't particularly useful for the ol' belly." Why were you going to a fish market at that time of evening, you're supposed to go to a meat market. Everyone knows that.

73rd over: Pakistan 147-5 (lead by 77; Azhar 56, Akmal 4) Akmal is feeling peppy after a slow start and picks four off the first couple of balls of Swann's over. He makes Monty chase for them too, a cunning tactic to tire out the opposing spinners. "I once persuaded Jim Maxwell, top ABC cricket commentator, that rather than go on the motorway via Leeds, we should travel to Durham via M6 and then across the Pennines via the spectacular A686 from Penrith to Corbridge in Northumberland, and recently voted as one of the great drives in the world," says Mike Selvey on our worst journeys riff. "It pissed down, you could touch the cloud base, and the most spectacular part was driven in thick mist. Maxwell did not think much of it." You should have taken him to Leicester.

74th over: Pakistan 147-5 (lead by 77; Azhar 56, Akmal 4) Monty beats Azhar with a lovely dipping ball but it misses the edge. Monty holds his hands to his head in frustration. An excellent maiden.

75th over: Pakistan 149-5 (lead by 79; Azhar 57, Akmal 5) Akmal attempts the reverse sweep and it nearly plops to Bell, who's fielding at silly point. He sees the funny side though. As do England. Strauss has trotted off the field for a comfort break.

76th over: Pakistan 150-5 (lead by 80; Azhar 58, Akmal 5) Azhar nudges a single but Pakistan are treating Monty with caution. "An Edinburgh to London all-nighter on National Express," says James Stevenson. You can always trust National Express for a nightmare journey story. Although I should point out they offer an economical travel option for the British people before their lawyers get involves. "My then girlfriend and I both had a nasty bout of food poisoning and took it in turns monopolising the loo - to the chagrin of our fellow passengers. Truly miserable. By the way, did Hadley Freeman show up last night? I can only assume successive days of OBO dominated by fashion-related riffs were an attempt to encourage her to attend and sprinkle some much-needed glamour on proceedings." Haldey Freeman was not present. She would have been delighted at some of the fashion though.

77th over: Pakistan 158-5 (lead by 88; Azhar 65, Akmal 6) Azhar gets an edge that runs past the slips to third man for three. The ball is then swept for four. Pakistan are definfitely more comfortable against Swann than Panesar. Bell goes down to leg slip to prevent such nonsense. "The worst journey ever are surely those ones that sang that off Glee," says Rich Kavanagh.

78th over: Pakistan 160-5 (lead by 90; Azhar 65, Akmal 8) Jimmy dashes across from slip to cut off an Akmal sweep, he was off before the ball was hit. I'd started to give him four for that. Excellent fielding.

REVIEW!! Swann could have an lbw here. Davis raises the finger but it looked like it was missing. Hawkeye shows the ball was turning enough to slide past leg. Steve Davis looks quite miffed by the whole thing, more so than England.

79th over: Pakistan 162-5 (lead by 92; Azhar 66, Akmal 8) Pakistan see out the rest of the over but that's the first time Swann has looked dangerous this morning. Enouraging for him and England. That's drinks.

80th over: Pakistan 165-5 (lead by 95; Azhar 66, Akmal 11) Last over before the new ball is due and Monty trundles in again. The second ball of the over goes just wide of second slip. Monty then beats the edge again to end the over. I should probably tell you my National Express story, following on from James Stevenson in the 76th over. I had some "valium" which I'd purchased in Vietnam and, faced with a journey on National Express, took one at the start of the journey. The next thing I knew it was three hours later and I was being shaken awake by the old lady next to me. I had trapped her in the window seat for the last few hours, while she was trying to get to the toilet. I threw the offending tablets away soon afterwards. Her pained face still haunts my dreams.

81st over: Pakistan 167-5 (lead by 97; Azhar 66, Akmal 13) England have taken the ball at the first opportunity and Jimmy Anderson will have his first bowl of the day. The sun's come out and the fog is burning off. Akmal gets a couple off the final ball of the over. "Also an overnight train trip, but mine was from Armidale to Sydney [13 hours; can be driven in seven] on the mail train," says Sarah Jane Bacon. "Wooden seats with a suggestion of vinyl for comfort, no dining car, sputtering lights, the deafening clatter of the wheels, open windows belching smoke and -5C breeze, and every torturous minute spent in the company of drunken university students drenched in the miasma of rum and vomit. Never again. Ever. I took the plane home thereafter and even now, I cope less than well in trains." Ah, rum and vomit, the smell of all good train journeys.

82nd over: Pakistan 168-5 (lead by 98; Azhar 66, Akmal 13) Broad will partner Anderson with the new ball. This is an OBOer's dream after two spinners, there's so much time I feel like I could write a novel. If I had an idea. And could write. Azhar has a think about a prod at a wide-ish ball from Broad but he takes his bat away

WICKET! Pakistan 170-6 (Azhar 68 c Prior b Anderson) A huge wicket as Jimmy removes Azhar who had hung around since approximately 1862. The new ball worked well, the delivery roared up at Azhar who tried to prod it away but it caught the top of the bat and Prior clung on.

83rd over: Pakistan 172-6 (lead by 102; Rehman 2, Akmal 13)"Tuning in to the Monty-Broad show and reading of food poisoning on the National Express, I thought instantly of a Chilean coach, which I discover was the source of the thread," says Liam Drew. "Chile is long and thin, coach rides can be likewise long. Mine was 19 hours and my diarrhea started an hour in. After a third lengthy trip to the back of the vehicle, the conductor ranted at my gringo face for at least 5 minutes. At the end, my Chilean then-girlfriend translated it as 'Stop shitting. Everybody on the bus hates you.' To which, I could only meekly reply, 'But I can't.'" A riposte for the ages. That's why I am staying in the Santiago Airport Hilton for my three weeks, venturing out only for walks around the car park.

WICKET! Pakistan 172-7 (Akmal 13 c Strauss b Broad)Wonderful fielding from KP. Akmal looks like he's got a four with a ball that flies to cover but KP smothers it to save the runs. Akmal looks like he's ready to let fly now: expect a swashbuckling 48, or a wicket in the next few overs .. oh hang on. Make that next delivery. He slashes at it and the ball flies to Strauss at slip. We're into Pakistan's tail now.

85th over Pakistan 177-7 (lead by 107; Rehman 3, Ajmal 4) England will be happy, seeing as some of Pakistan's tail actually average minus runs at Test level. Still, if they can get up to a lead of 160 or so they have a chance. "With news of a stomach bug in the England camp, I think the radio commentary team's use of the phrase 'Broad is loosening up at mid on' could have been chosen a little more carefully," says James Hobbs.

86th over Pakistan 179-7 (lead by 109; Rehman 3, Ajmal 4) A couple of leg byes to start the over. Broad then has a shout for lbw. He wants it reviered but Strauss reckons it was too high. Hawkeye backs him up too. "Some years back I travelled up to Keswick to meet my wife to be as she drove back from Scotland," says romance's Phil Withall. "The bright red 2CV she and her friend had was rickerty to say the least. I had to squeeze my six foot plus body into the back with the luggage and was then battered by gale force winds and driving rain. Had to hold the window shut and the roof of the car down. Every time a lorry went by I honestly thought I would be sucked out of the car and under its wheels. I still can't look a a French car without sobbing."

REVIEW!!! The appeals are coming thick and fast now. Jimmy raises his hands but again the it was just going over the stumps. Pakistan scramble for a single in the ensuing confusion. A few balls later he has another shout and Strauss goes for the review this time. It was only clipping leg though so Davis's decision isn't overturned. England have no reviews left.

87th over Pakistan 180-7 (lead by 110; Rehman 3, Ajmal 4) Pakistan survive the rest of the over.

88th over Pakistan 183-7 (lead by 113; Rehman 3, Ajmal 7) Good fielding from Jimmy, who cuts off what looks like a certain boundary. The batsmen are looking ever so slightly more comfortable now. "I once did Adelaide to Perth on the Indian Pacific train. 36 hours. Not a lot of fun," says Mike Selvey. 400 miles of dead straight track across the Nullabor and a single stop, at Cook, like a frontier town in the Wild West (local
hospital advertising hoarding as the train approached the station read 'If You Feel Crook, Come To Cook': eat your hearts out Madison Avenue), catering of the lowest order (chewy steak, tinned carrots and tinned spuds and a bar that shut when the meal was finished because 'I'm off to have mine now, mate',) and then, much much later, another stop at Kalgoorlie, in the middle of the night, to be taken on a bus ride round the red light district and be waved at cheerily by the local hookers." I was once ID's in the middle of the Nullarbor despite the fact that the nearest policeman was 200 miles away. Still admirable jobsworthing.

89th over Pakistan 187-7 (lead by 117; Rehman 6, Ajmal 8) Swann's back on for Jimmy Anderson. England are surrounding the bat now with a silly point and short leg. Rehman has a heave over mid on and it drops safe.

90th over Pakistan 190-7 (lead by 120; Rehman 8, Ajmal 8) Monty's on for Broad. Rehman cracks a couple through mid-wicket. A single to end the over and Pakistan's lead creeps towards 150.

91st over Pakistan 194-7 (lead by 124; Rehman 10, Ajmal 11) Cook, at short leg, gets a nasty crack on the knee from Rehman's sweep. The knee pads absorbed most of the blow but he's gritting his teeth in discomfort. Swann finds the outside edge near the end of over but it squirts clear of danger.

92nd over Pakistan 198-7 (lead by 128; Rehman 10, Ajmal 11) The ball flies through the slips but Ajmal hadn't touched it. Neither did the England fielders and that's four. A big shout for lbw at the end of the over but it's turned down. England haven't got a review left. It looked like there was the smallest of inside edges anyway. "Reading the OBO, sky's playing the coverage on my laptop and I'm listening to TMS," saysRalph Taylor. "Total cricketing submersion. As soon as they have a drinks break I'm going to go and get into my whites and spikes. Then I'm going to become single very quickly when the wife wakes up..." You could just have had an affair like normal people do.

LUNCH England had a fillip when the new ball was taken with two quick wickets but Pakistan have put a nice partnership together towards the end of the session. England's morning .. just.

93rd over Swann gets things started for England and we have a review...

WICKET!!!!! Pakistan 198-8 (Rehman lbw b Swann 10) Rehman was a long way down, so he referred it but review showed it would have clipped leg so the umpire's decision stands.

94th over Pakistan 198-8 (lead by 128; Ajmal 11, Gul 0) Monty is back on and looking to secure his five-for. That last partnership was useful for Pakistan getting them close to a target they can defend but England are very much in control now. "My wife has returned from work and I proudly showed her my comment (86th over)," says Phil Withall. "Expecting, at the very least, a 'well done dear' you can imagine my disappointment when all I got was a dismissive 'Humph, "romances Phil Withall"?. My planned evening of cricket, red wine and toe nail picking has now been abandoned in favour of a bad movie and providing foot rubs. Thank you sooooo much Mr Lutz, thank you..."

95th over Pakistan 199-8 (lead by 129; Ajmal 11, Gul 1) Gul gets an edge but it runs safe. They then think they have an inside edge which carries to short leg but replays show it was off the pads. "The sad, (but actually boastful), stories about crossing Australia/Chile by bus, train or mule miss the point," says John Culley. "Long journeys may be pants, but all I have to look forward to this fine Saturday, apart from Guardian OBO, is the three and half miles to the vets with an incontinent and terrified cat on board, knowing that for the rest of 2012 my wife will be saying, 'The cars still still got that strange smell - can you clean it again'."

96th over Pakistan 199-8 (lead by 129; Ajmal 11, Gul 1) Gul's single off the last ball of the previous over puts him on strike. Nasser reminds us Gul's highest Test score is 65 - against England. He elects not to take an easy single though – maybe he wants to get his 66 in boundaries. "My worst journey was probably a 24 hour coach journey from Les Arcs in France back to Blighty," says John Tumbridge. "First few hours went 'fine' the two French coach drivers swapping drivers whilst driving down the motorway at about 70 miles an hour. We then stopped at a roadside establishment where us plucky Brits consumed yogurts, museli, orange juice, as it was three in the morning and watched astonished as the drivers between them consumed two large horse steaks and lots of wine.

"The journey recommenced and we then used both lanes of the motorway as the chosen driver, with wine inside, swayed between the two lanes with all of the control of a two year old in a buggy. 48 passengers gripping onto their arm rests, leaving their fingerprints pernamently embedded on the fabric. Being British we said nothing." I bet he got you home faster than he would have done sober though."

97th over Pakistan 205-8 (lead by 135; Ajmal 17, Gul 1) Dropped! Dropped? No. The ball pops up from Ajmal and Bell juggles the ball but it was off his pads, much to his relief. Monty then just about stops a boundary doing some juggling of his own at deep square leg. Ajmal does get a boundary with the final ball of the over though.

WICKET!!!! Pakistan 208-9 (Ajmal c Anderson b Panesar 17) Monty has his five-for! Ajmal had started to look like he's be an awkward obstacle for England but Monty gets some extra bounce and turn, and Anderson takes an easy catch.

99th over Pakistan 214-9 (lead by 144; Gul 10, Junaid Khan 0) Broad's on to put the frighteners on the tailenders. We may see some shots from Gul here who looks like he's going to go down swinging. That said he disappoints us all by leaving the first few balls of the over. Then he cracks the third for six. It lands somewhere in the desert. "Monty Panesar justifies his Beard of Winter 2012 Award as he takes 5 wickets in Pakistan 2nd Innings," says Beard Liberation Front. Maybe Gul should grow one – I quite enjoyed that thwack.

WICKET!!! Pakistan 214 all out (Junaid Khan 0 b Panesar) Khan decides to slog like Gul but only succeeds at slogging thin air and the ball rips into the stumps. Excellent stuff from Monty, who takes 6-66.

So England have a day and a half to make 145 to level the series. The decision to bring in two spinners looks like a good one, although it was Monty rather than the established Swann who ran through Pakistan. "Do non-journeys count," asks Robin Hazlehurst of our worst journeys riff. "I went to Bristol last year for a meeting and figured that by taking the 6am flight home I'd be back at work by lunchtime the next day.

"But as there was an evening social event and a very early flight, there was no point in bothering with a hotel, I'd just stay in a pub until they closed then grab two hours kip at the airport before the flight. Which sort of worked, except that in the morning the aeroplane was broken and the flight cancelled, so instead of a comfy hotel bed and afternoon flight I spent a day hanging around Bristol, Amsterdam and Copenhagen airports with no sleep smelling a bit funny. And to make it worse they put me in business class on the last leg, which was full while the cheap seats were almost empty. And I didn't make it to work that afternoon." Yeah, I hate it when you get a free upgrade to business class. They could at least have made it first.

The target of 145 is no gimme. England have a few out of form batsmen and memories of the capitulations in the last Test are still fresh – for both teams.

"How about this for a worst journey," begins Phil Keegan. "In 1989, I took a 14 hour coach trip from Adana in southern Turkey to Istanbul. An old lady in the seat directly behind me spent the entire 14 hours throwing up due to motion sickness. When she had nothing left inside she continued to violently retch, cough and splutter. What's more, I was suffering from a crushing hangover myself and my body was quite keen to join in the puking. I had a half bottle of Red Label hidden in my jacket pocket, and sipping on that and having my Walkman blasting into my ears just about kept me alive. Overall though, I think the old lady might just win the worst journey award." I was more struck by the Walkman reference. Is that like an iPod? Also, the moral of these stories is that you should never ever go near a coach.

1st over England 1-0 (Target 145; Strauss 1, Cook 0) Hafeez will open the bowling for Pakistan. Right, at 10-an-over this should be over in time for tea. In Strauss's defence, he has only failed to get out of single figures once this series. Hafeez has an average of around 22 against left-handers, by the way.

2nd over England 3-0 (Target 145; Strauss 2, Cook 1) Gul comes in from the other end and gets a bit of swing while he's at it too. Nothing to trouble the batsmen though ... yet. "I can trump all your worst journeys, I took a bnoat trip and was eaten by a whale. A WHALE! To be fair, I got quite a bit of coverage out if it," writes someone claiming to be Jonah out of the Bible. 'Jonah' undermines his claims by failing to write in Aramaic.

3rd over England 6-0 (Target 145; Strauss 3, Cook 3) England keep things ticking over. Bell looks like he's padded up to come in at No3: Trott is ill.

4th over England 8-0 (Target 145; Strauss 4, Cook 4) Lovelt ball from Gul that tucks Cook up. He could easily have got a nick on that. Hey! I thought early scares were Strauss's job. Meanwhile, we may have a winner for worst journey. Here's Arthur Seeley:

"While working for VSO in the Solomon Islands I was stranded in Munda for three days waiting for a seat on a plane. Each that arrived was full. I was eating quietly in a small motel close to the airport when one of their staff came over and said there was a special flight and a spare seat. The special flight I discovered was to fly a dead lady back to her native village. I was given the co-pilot's seat and her corpse in a black plastic bag was laid across the seats behind me . The other seats were occupied by grieving relatives quietly sobbing.

"The journey was only twenty minutes but it was raining heavily and we could not find our landing strip of grass. The pilot asked me to slide my window open and see if I could see anything. The rain lashed my body and turbulence moved the corpse closer to me until her feet were in my back.

"The weather cleared and there was the field below us but were too high so the plot pushed the nose down and the lady slipped further forward pinning me against the front window. I was shaking as we landed and I had to go off somewhere and stand quietly. Playing footsie with a corpse is not recommended.Thats one I would like to forget but can't."

5th over England 11-0 (Target 145; Strauss 5, Cook 6) England look comfortable and work Hafeez round the pitch. "The only reason I was not at Rob Smyth's birthday last night is because I was NFI, and thanks very much for rubbing that in, Tom," writes Hadley Freeman. "But considering I once had a conversation with the birthday boy about the acceptability (or otherwise) of dungarees on a grown man, I have no doubt at all I would have been very impressed indeed by the fashions at this party (to which I was not invited) being pushed, worked and, indeed, owned." Most people would consider not being invited to Smyth's birthday a bonus. You could have stood in a field on your own all night and still had a better host.

6th over England 12-0 (Target 145; Strauss 6, Cook 6)Strauss guides the ball down to third man for a single. If England do win this, it'll show they're incapable of playing two bad Tests in a row at the moment. "I spent 10 hours phenomenally hungover in a little Toyota minivan on the Kazakh steppe, going to the Kazakh national oil company Bond villain-like lair in the mountains north of Astana," says Paddy Blewer, impressing us a little bit. "Two things really stand out. The steppe Does. Not. Change. You lose any sense of place and time. Also they had the russian version of Little Britain on the van's dvd player. 'Nasha Russia'. Similar jokes, but more brutal in a particulay brutal Russian way..." You got a DVD player? That's an excellent journey.

7th over England 12-0 (Target 145; Strauss 6, Cook 6) A maiden for Hafeez but no threat to speak of. Sky tell us that England have only lost once in the last 100 years while chasing fewer than 150 runs. "I once took the Greyhound from Boston to San Francisco," says Jamie Kirkaldy. "Naively believing American bus services would be the definition of comfort and convenience, I expected to be sat in air conditioning watching films all the way. The reality: four days staring out of a window with only a Walkman, three tapes and a book I finished on the first morning for company. On day three, some hick spent four hours trying to convince me to join the circus with him." I should point out Jamie recently won California Lion Tamer of the Year.

8th over England 12-0 (Target 145; Strauss 6, Cook 6) Right. Ajmal is on. This is where things could get tricky for England. Cook fends off the first few balls. I'm guessing we may see more of that. Pakistan have a think about a review for lbw but it was sliding down leg and they let things be.

9th over England 13-0 (Target 145; Strauss 7, Cook 6) Hawkeye says that lbw shout in the last over was indeed missing. Strauss is on all sorts of trouble as Hafeez's delivery misses the outside edge. There's a noise but it was bat hitting pad. Rather impressively, seeing as England were scoring at 0.00004 an over, Pakistan have slowed England down.

10th over England 14-0 (Target 145; Strauss 8, Cook 6) Strauss gets a single, playing across the line. He gets away with it though and Ajmal concedes his first run. "There's that Walkman again," says Rich Sharland, "is that like a dansette but newer, somehow portable? It doesn't sound so funky..." I want one, whatever it is.

11th over England 14-0 (Target 145; Strauss 8, Cook 6) Strauss rocks back and attempts to crack it through cover but it's straight to a fielder. No need for England to rush, I reckon they've still got just enough time with a day and a bit to go. Maiden.

12th over England 14-0 (Target 145; Strauss 8, Cook 6) The run rate for the last six overs is, seriously, 0.35 an over. Cook bats out a maiden.

Here's Mac Millings On Travel: "This story has come up before, and doesn't bear repeating, but here it is anyway. Many years ago, I was on a train in China during Spring Festival (around Chinese New Year), a time when it seems that everyone in the country is on the move. The train was packed, and, just when you thought no one else could get on, we'd pull in at a station and more people would climb in through the windows, after first handing up baggage and children. It was fun for me until the food poisoning I'd unknowingly contracted eating dodgy train station food kicked in.

"I struggled over the mass of humanity to the toilet (a little room with a hole open to the tracks below as they chugged past), to find 3 people asleep in it. So I hiked back to my seat (held for me by my wife). As time went by, I kept getting worse. I tried to hold it in, really I did. First, I threw up out of the window.

"Then I took out my travel-convenient lunch pail, lowered my trousers and, in front of 100s of surprisingly nonchalant fellow passengers, emptied my bowels into it. I still have the lunch pail, by the way; and yes, I have since eaten out of it." Ha! So it was you that woke me up from my sleep in the toilet.

13th over England 14-0 (Target 145; Strauss 8, Cook 6) I thought that was a run for a minute but Strauss's push to mid off is gathered. England are actually playing this sensibly, not taking any risks but one run would be nice. Is that too much to ask?

14th over England 18-0 (Target 145; Strauss 10, Cook 7) Strauss launches a volley of sixes. Or maybe he gets a single. Small steps though. We end up with four off the over! Whoop! "This innings is turning into an arduous journey," says Seth Ennis, correctly.

WICKET! England 21-1 (Cook 7 c &b Hafeez) "At that run rate it will take 414.2 overs to get 145 runs. I'm putting my mortgage on a draw," says Niall Mullen auditioning for the numbers round on Countdown. Hold on to your horses, Niall, Strauss just got a three, snicked behind three. Cook then goes to Hafeez. Early problems for England. Cook was getting impatient - unlike him - and the shot was rash. It took the leading edge and Hafeez's return catch was a good one.

16th over England 23-1 (Target 145; Strauss 16, Bell 0) Bell is in at No2 because Trott is ill. Not in the dope sense more in the sense of some of the stories we've been reading about on this OBO. Strauss gets a couple down to third man.

17th over England 26-1 (Target 145; Strauss 16, Bell 3) Rehman replaces Hafeez and Bell attacks him from the off. He drives down to deep midwicket for three. Pakistan have a shout for a catch as Strauss fends to short leg. Replays are inconclusive and the benefit of the doubt goes to Strauss. I didn't think it carried. "From a litany of bleakness, two terrible journeys stand out for me," says Guy Hornsby. "14 hours overnight from Brisbane to Townsville by coach was a highlight. My reserved seat had me sat next to a drunk, ahem, portly woman with a cast on one arm that took up 1.3 seats. I slept for 2 hours. Also up there was flying Sydney to London the wrong way. Apart from numerous US airport security staff that'd make the Gestapo seem amiable, my journey included an extra stop in LA, the worst food I've ever tasted and being thrown out of duty free in Newark (a shed of a terminal) because transit passengers 'are not allowed to browse'. NEVER again."

WICKET!!!!! England 26-2 (Bell 3 b Ajmal) Bell is bowled through his legs, the ball rolling agonisingly on to his stumps after he'd fended it down to, what he thought, was safety. The collapse is on!

18th over England 28-2 (Target 145; Strauss 17, Pieteresen 1) KP gets off the mark with a quick single off his first ball. He looks relieved and so he should considering the pressure Pakistan are putting them under. The tension shows as England mix themselves up and Pietersen has to scramble back to avoid the run out.

19th over England 29-2 (Target 145; Strauss 17, Pieteresen 1) Pakistan are having a good old chatter around the bat now. England can't get runs away to relieve the pressure. Rehman slides one past Strauss and he just misses the stumps. "Since Ms Freeman is gracing the obo these days I wonder if I could Ask Hadley what is the best outfit for me to wear while reading the obo and watching the cricket," says Niall Mullen. "I'm currently wearing underpants (by Next) and a white T-shirt (designer unknown). I'm thinking about adding a slightly threadbare dressing gown to the ensemble but I'm worried because I've heard less is more. What should I do?" I think she's onyl contracted to be Asked once a week. You'll have to pay, but I reckon you can't go wrong with dressing gown.

20th over England 33-2 (Target 145; Strauss 21, Pieteresen 1) Strauss has been struggling but he brings up the first boundary of the innings with a lovely glide to deep point. "Surely I can't be the first to say that Trott has got the trotts," says Paul Walters. Correct you're not. But you are in the first 100,000 so you're doing OK.

WICKET!! England 33-3 (Pietersen lbw b Rehman 1) It's a straight one and it would have clipped the top of the stumps – he reviews but the call goes with the on-field umpire and England are in real trouble. On a positive note, the socre 33-3 does have a nice symmetry about it.

WICKET!!!! England 37-4 (Morgan 0 b Rehman) Anyone have much confidence in Morgan here? Well ... He misses the ball and is clean bowled.

22nd over England 39-4 (Target 145; Strauss 23, Prior 0) England captain Andrew Strauss needs, well, a captain's innings. He gets a couple down to third man. Luckily England's best batsmen all bat below No5 these days so all is not lost. "If we're still on journeys, I've flown home from Chisinau this morning courtesy of Air Moldova," says Gary Naylor. "Could not have been easier. Mind you, the tough part is still to come - the 77 from Clapham Junction to Tooting." You should write a book on the 77 journey. One of the epics.

TEA: My word. Cook and Strauss we making steady if sloooow progress at the start of the innings but Pakistan's spinners started to strangle them and the pressure told. Once Cook was out nobody got in. England were relieved to go in for tea.

Elliot Wilson has a good Worst Journeys story: "In 2008 I decided to take a trek across Kazakhstan Tom. I'm a journalist and I'd been to Almaty in Kazakhsan several times but I wanted to trek past the dying Aral Sea to the Caspian, so I flew up to a town called Kyszszlorda. It had been snowing however, so my onward train from Kyszszlorda to Aralsk had already left. The next one (which terminated in Moscow 60 hours later) didn't pass by for another 24 hours so I decided, at around midnight and in sub-zero temperatures (it was still early March on the steppe) to get a taxi the six hours to Aralsk, an ex-fishing port.

"Unfortunately I was a) still dressed only in a suit and thin coat and b) I chose an insane taxi driver who stopped off in a nowhere village in the steppe to pick up his brother who, it turned out, was a leper. Only when he turned the car light and leered at me did I see half his face was hanging off.

"This revelation, and the insane high-pitched giggle of the driver, who I picked up was his brother (a smattering of Russian helped) forced me, with rucksack, to make a fairly low-speed leap out of their Lada car and into the steppe. It took an hour to hike in the direction of some light (an 'Aral' petrol station) where I got some mobile phone signal and phoned the only person I knew in Kyszszlorda, a friend of a Dutch journalist, who quickly found a couple of blokes who needed to be in Aralsk. Neither of them were lepers, and they drove me, and a car full of fruit they wanted to sell, to Aralsk, where I was mugged. But that's a story for another story."

Bring back Ravi (part one): "I can't help thinking that if it was Ravi Bopara - who brings a lot more to the side than Morgan - getting out cheaply time and time again, there would be no end of headlines about how he's just not a Test cricketer," says Rob Marriott. "But Eoin Morgan is apparently god's gift to middle order batting, so he'll be just fine, and turning out for England for some years to come without too much criticism. Bah, I say. Bopara is every bit as mediocre a Test batsman as the Irishman, every bit as unexceptional a fielder, plus he can bowl very usefully. Bopara. Now." Ravi? Are you there?

James Dart will be taking over for a while, so send your emails to james.dart@guardian.co.uk. He'll correct your spelling if you're nice to him.

Morning/afternoon/evening: Well, this is nice.

(Don't necessarily) bring back Ravi (part one): "Ravi might be the next cab off the batting rank, but the best player of spin during England's ODI tour of India was Samit Patel whom I reckon would be a good replacement for Tremlett," writes Mike Selvey. "And I disagree 100% with Lutz about the Strauss referral. That was a [Snip - OBO Bad Word ed] decision by Billy Bowden. So England are lucky it wasn't worse." Agreed.

23rd over: England 44-4 (Target 145; Strauss 27, Prior 1) Prior is quick off the mark with a scampered single as Abdur Rehman resumes. Two balls later and Strauss is given some width, rocking back and calmly guiding the ball past square for four. "I've been moonlighting on the tennis MBM but your travel tales here take me back to India, an eight-hour journey (in theory) from McCleod Ganj to Chandigarh and a bus that leaked upwards," recalls Seamus Whitehead. "Not only did the seat offer me no legroom, the backrest barely reached halfway up my back and the first six hours was spent lolling around as the bus careered down the mountains. After that the journey got steadily worse, as we waited at a flooded river for five hours with lights and music on full (whilst all other vehicles turned round and found another route) before setting off across flooded roads. This is when we noticed that the floor of the bus, two sheets of metal, wasn't joined properly and every 'lake' we crossed sent a spurt of water shooting up to the ceiling of the bus, soaking yours truly. Sixteen wet hours later we slopped off the bus into Chandigarh." Saved you a shower.

24th over: England 44-4 (Target 145; Strauss 27, Prior 1) Saeed Ajmal (1-15 off eight) resumes at the other end, giving Prior a testing working-over. He sees it through safely. Maiden.

25th over: England 51-4 (Target 145; Strauss 28, Prior 7) A single for Strauss, followed by two more for Prior, reduces the target to two figures. And then Rehman is punished for dropping short to the England wicketkeeper, who crashes him through cover with a delicious drive. A vital, vital stand here.

26th over: England 51-4 (Target 145; Strauss 28, Prior 7) A zinger from Ajmal beats the outside edge of Strauss and the off stump by a matter of milimetres. It was this close. Another maiden. "I once had to walk from Headingley to the Leeds Metropolitan University campus," offers John Starbuck by way of (supposedly) awful journeys. "It rained all the way and I was wearing new shoes, the heels of which clacked loudly so I was passing people expecting a stunning woman to hove into sight. Disappointment all round."

27th over: England 51-4 (Target 145; Strauss 28, Prior 7) "I am surprised at England's approach to this chase," muses Hashir Majid. "Given how low the score is, it just needs one positive innings of an hour or so to set up the win." Not so easy to be so positive against Ajmal, mind. A maiden from Rehman keeps things tidy at the other end.

28th over: England 51-4 (Target 145; Strauss 28, Prior 7) Another maiden from Ajmal as the pressure cranks up that little bit more. Probably about time I offered some abysmal journeys of my own. Domestically? While living in Leeds in 2000, took a trip down to watch England draw 0-0 with Argentina in a friendly at Wembley. Only for the tube to deliver me back to King's Cross just as the last train north of Peterborough for the night was pulling out. Cue a slow train to Peterborough, a cold night on the platform (with a rather scary individual roaming around the station), and an early train into Leeds the next morning for work. Lovely.

WICKET! Strauss lbw Rehman 32 (England 56-5) One delivery after confident sweeping Rehman for a boundary, Strauss is pinned on the back foot; the ball spins out of the rough and raps the England skipper on the pads. It goes to review, but … WICKET!

29th over: England 56-5 (Target 145; Prior 7, Trott 0) And out comes Jonathan Trott …

30th over: England 56-5 (Target 145; Prior 7, Trott 0) Prior staves off another maiden from Ajmal (1-15 off 12, now). "Further to my worst journey submission (7th over), may I propose a sub-thread of the worst arrival in the world?" suggests Jamie Kirkcaldy. Go ahead, Jamie. "Finally reaching San Francisco at around midnight, I decided to sleep for a few hours in the bus station but a despotic jobsworth told me that only outgoing passengers were allowed to stay overnight and kicked me out. I noticed that another passenger had suffered the same fate so asked her if she was a local and could direct me to an all-night coffee house where I could wait the night out. She seemed to interpret this request as 'please take me on a tour of the dodgiest areas of the city, I would like to be stabbed'." Easy mistake to make. "Having spent half an hour trying to find a liquor store in what she informed me the locals referred to as 'crack town', we ended up sitting in a children's play area in a housing project drinking neat vodka while she filled me in on how her lover got her addicted to heroin to stop her leaving. I can assure you that I was not wearing any flowers in my hair."

31st over: England 60-5 (Target 145; Prior 11, Trott 1) Cool heads in short supply all round: Trott fishes a little cut behind square, which is fielded superbly by Umar Gul; the batsmen get in an almighty mess and Trott ultimately is left to chase down to the other end, looking way, way short of his ground. But as the ball comes in to the wicketkeeper, he completely fluffs his lines and Trott is able to sneak home for a single. Prior then adds a useful three with a similar stroke that beats the fielder off the final ball off the over. "Taking Hashir Majid's point (27th over), England could have sent Broad in at No3 for a biff and, if he had repeated his first innings, the game would be settled," writes Gary Naylor. "If he had failed, well we still had the 'batting' to come."

32nd over: England 60-5 (Target 145; Prior 11, Trott 1) Big appeals from Pakistan, the second of which results in a REVIEW of a shout for lbw against Prior off Ajmal. It looks pretty clearly to be missing leg, which the review highlights. An overexcitable waste. Pakistan are now 2-13 for reviews in this series so far. Maiden.

33rd over: England 60-5 (Target 145; Prior 11, Trott 1) Adnan Akmal continues to appeal for absolutely everything behind the stumps. Trott remains cool and sees off a Rehman maiden. He doesn't quite look 100% but the way in which he scampered through for three a couple of overs back suggests he's up for the fight. "We miss Tresco at the top for these small chases, he'd blast us off to 40-0 from seven or eight overs and we'd be on the front foot," laments Ian Truman. "So I'd have sent out KP and Swanny to open with a licence to blast it and set the field back. England would never do that though, so don't know why I mention it really."

34th over: England 63-5 (Target 145; Prior 14, Trott 1) Prior works Ajmal through the off-side for two and continues to get a good stride down the pitch in the face of this testing bowling. He adds another single down to square leg with a sweep. The over ends with Akmal going up for a huge shout as Trott is clipped a little outside off by Ajmal. It's now 82 to win. "In Kenya, I spent about five hours on a bus eye-to-eye with a pair of chickens, which one of the passengers standing crammed into the aisle was holding," writes Jason Grove. "The bus itself was bright green and adorned with a logo I don't remember, though I like to think it was something like 'live free or die'. It was all topped off with a nice string of christmas lights round the top and a spoiler, presumably to keep the back wheels on the ground while the driver careened through the winding hill roads. No walkman for me, but the bus thoughtfully came equipped with one of those big speakers that bands in pubs usually use, all the better to blast African pop music at us. There was a brief 'respite' from the music however, when a preacher got on and tried to save everyone by yelling at them in Kiswahili. He got off at the next town - about three quarters of an hour later - and normal service on the speaker was resumed."

WICKET! Trott lbw Rehman 1 (England 68-6) Ah. A loose-ball from Rehman gives England four useful leg-byes, but he follows it straight up with a beauty, trapping Trott plumb lbw. It straightened up brilliantly and Trott was well, well beaten.

WICKET! Broad b Rehman 0 (England 68-7) This is all over. Stuart Broad arrives at the crease and is immediately the subject of a big appeal. It's waved away, but he survives just a single delivery more: Rehman gets one to turn in from outside off-stump, clipping Broad's inside edge and flying on to the stumps. A really impressive five-for now for Rehman.

WICKET! Swann lbw Ajmal 0 (England 71-8) There's no escaping it: as impressive as Rehman and Ajmal have been (7-46 off nearly 25 overs between them), this is a miserable collapse from England. Prior adds three, cutting one past the despairing dive of first slip. But that leaves Swann on strike, and Ajmal rips one in from outside off stump, trapping the batsman plumb. England still need 74 more. "Is it cowardly to pray that we can take the positive that at least we can watch the Liverpool v Manchester United game?" asks Neil Withers. It starts in 50 minutes.

36th over: England 72-8 (Target 145; Prior 18, Anderson 1) James Anderson arrives and is off the mark with a single. "There is still hope … Monty to carry on his revival and smack a fifty," cheers Phil Withall. "Simple. Yes, I have been drinking, but you have to have a little faith." Only if that faith if 50% proof or more.

WICKET! Prior c Shafiq b Ajmal 18 (England 72-9) A composed knock from Prior concludes with an ugly, loose stroke: he drives Ajmal uppishly on the off-side, mistiming his stroke and Shafiq takes an easy catch.

WICKET! Anderson c Gul b Rehman 1 (England 72) Filth. Anderson sweep-slogs off Rehman, but the ball skies high to deep square-leg, where Gul almost misjudges, before taking a composed diving catch in front of him. It's all over.

Pakistan win the second Test by 72 runs and take an (unassailable) 2-0 series lead. England's lowest ever Test score against Pakistan, apparently, and Andy Flower's (world No1) team have only pride and some ranking points to play for in the final Test.

The aftermath (from your emails):

"Yesterday on TMS, Geoff Boycott said that he would put his house on an England win," recalls Umran Sarwar. "Do we want to do a whip-round for the old boy to put him up in a shelter for the night?"

"Earlier today, Zimbabwe lost all 20 wickets inside one day in Napier," writes Chris Kilford. "Are England trying to upstage them?"

"One word for that," sniffs Jerry Thomas. "Pathetic."

Journey's end: That's that for now. We'll be back for coverage of the third Test. Thanks for all your mails. I'll leave you with these:

"Apropos the worst journey riff, I lived in north London for a couple of years and used to regularly take the N29 on Saturday nights," writes Matthew Webb. "There must be others reading who can fully grasp the horror of that statement."

"Speaking of horrendous journeys, a most memorable one was travelling back from the Isle of Wight to York after the Bestival music festival in 2008," says Richard in York. "Anyone that was there could confirm that the weather leading up to the festival was rain, rain and more rain, causing the festival site to be 99% mud and 1% vegetation. However, like some sort of moron I had only brought with me one pair of jeans and one pair of light trainers to wear all weekend. My friend and I fashioned some temporary waterproof socks to wear over our feet (plastic bags). Anyway, the journey back involved a bus, a boat, and then a train journey for several hours up to York. Unwashed and caked in mud from waist down, I wasn't the most popular passenger on the quiet coach of a Crosscountry train filled mostly with Monday evening commuters. One poor lady even opted to change trains than sit next to me. So, all in all, not a terrible journey for me, but for everyone else sitting in Coach B. I had my comeuppance mind, as when I got to York, worried that I couldn't feel my toes, I was informed by my GP that I'd gotten trench foot after a weekend of wearing plastic bags over sweaty feet."

"I was on a four-leg overnight Greyhound ride from Brunswick GA to New Orleans," remembers Dan Wilson. "Before the bus departed Tallahassee, the man sitting behind me who looked like John C Reilly was told by the driver he had to stow away his tool box underneath. He protested that they couldn't exactly be used as offensive weapons but complied. My neighbour, who I shall name Pedro, joked 'I hope he doesn't find my knives'. I laughed politely. Then, when the bus was on its way, he got out his phone and started muttering into it in Spanish for about a minute then stopped speaking and held it up whereupon it started emitting a loud beep every so often. It was loud enough to anger the bus driver who demanded to know whose the phone was. Mindful of Pedro's knives, I said nothing. He owned up eventually and we were back on the road. Then, thinking this guy couldn't get any weirder, for the remainder of the overnight bus journey, Pedro vigorously rubbed his groin. Through his trousers, but still, I couldn't let myself go to sleep. Whatever this guy's itch was, he wasn't satisfied for hours. I dunno if this makes it more or less creepy, but it turned out, as we disembarked in Mobile, that his wife and child were in the seats in front."

New Zealand win after bowling Zimbabwe out twice in one day

2012-01-30T16:00:00.001-08:00

Chris Martin and his teammates celebrate their victory over Zimbabwe. Photograph: John Cowpland/AFP/Getty Images

New Zealand recorded their biggest ever Test victory on a dramatic third day at Napier. The Black Caps thrashed Zimbabwe by an innings and 301 runs after bowling out Zimbabwe twice in one day.

Chris Martin finished with match figures of eight for 31 off 14.3 overs with Regis Chakabva, who made a dogged 63 after coming to the crease with the score on 12 for five, providing the only Zimbabwe resistance.

It was New Zealand's biggest Test victory and conversely Zimbabwe's heaviest Test defeat as they continue their reintegration into the Test arena.

After being skittled for 51 in their first innings - their lowest Test total - as they responded to the hosts' declaration of 495 for seven, the visitors were then reduced to 12 for five as they followed on.

Tino Mawoyo was snaffled at slip off Martin, as was Hamilton Masakzada, with Brendan Taylor nicking the seamer behind.

Tatenda Taibu was also picked up at slip off Doug Bracewell, before Malcolm Waller played across the line to the same man.

However, Chakabva came to the crease and set about at least making himself hard to remove.

When Forster Mutizwa departed Zimbabwe were 37 for six, but Chakabva shared a stand of 63 with Graeme Cremer (26) and 34 with Shingi Masakadza (21) to move the score on to 143 when he was out.

Martin produced the delivery to which Chakabva got a bit of a top edge, with Dean Brownlie leaping high to take a one-handed catch.

The Zimbabwean's 63 had come from 119 balls and included six boundaries.

It was all over shortly after when Brian Vitori was caught by BJ Watling off Martin with no further score.

The Black Caps had declared after Watling completed his maiden Test century to finish on 102 not out.

Zimbabwe then suffered the ignominy of recording the lowest Test total by any country against New Zealand when they were dismissed for 51.

Only one of Zimbabwe's batsmen managed to get into double figures with Malcolm Waller the pick of the bunch with 23, Brendan Taylor the next best with nine.

Martin, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee all claimed two wickets.

Brendon McCullum was also named as New Zealand captain for the three one-day internationals and the two Twenty20 games between the teams after Ross Taylor was ruled out through injury.

Taylor suffered a tear to his right calf yesterday and was forced to retire when unbeaten on 122.

It is hoped he will be ready to return to face South Africa at the end of February.

It is blindingly obvious: England just cannot play spin

2012-01-30T15:59:00.001-08:00

Pakistan's Abdur Rehman celebrates victory in the second Test and the series against England. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

The atmosphere is rarified on the summit and England are having trouble breathing. A second successive defeat for the first time in three and a half years, and victory for Pakistan in the series means that already they have started their descent towards more comfortable regions. Much earlier in the day a rejuvenated Australia was completing its annihilation of India that matched England's of last summer and are heading upwards. The order, as Bob Dylan said, is rapidly changing.

This is not good for England. Their place at the top, and the time spent in absorbing it as the year came to an end, was always going to be threatened by a most challenging schedule that in the space of 12 months would include a home series against the second-placed team South Africa, but also a trio of series in those parts of the world they find the most fraught. Hardly will they have been back from the Middle East than they will be off to Sri Lanka, where awaits more trial by spin, although a Murali-less team poses less of a threat than the threesome who have bowled Pakistan to their wins. Quite where India lie in the scheme of things will be harder to assess. They do not have a series until England in the autumn by which time, despite protestations to the contrary by the Indian board, the order is sure to have changed there too. It would be hard to argue as it stands that Misbah-ul-Haq is not leading, with distinction, the premier side from the subcontinental region.

The joy this will bring to the supporters of Pakistan cricket will be untold. Many of those Pakistani migrant workers who attended and enlivened the match after prayers on Friday were back at their jobs, but there was still a passionate hard core, representing countrymen and women for whom circumstance has deprived them of the opportunity to see their team on the cricket grounds at home. Their game has been riven by scandal, the country disrupted by terrorism. The cricketers are, in effect, migrant workers themselves. Perhaps the manner in which Misbah and the coach, Mohsin Khan, have got the players, all of them, to dedicate themselves once more to cricket and cricket alone merely serves to highlight the iniquities that preceded when a reputation as mavericks served as convenient camouflage for wrong doing. In beating England twice, and so emphatically, they deserve every credit.

England will insist that this is a team game and that they take bouquets and brickbats as a unit. But it is blindingly obvious where lies the blame. England have been bowled out for 192, 160, 327 and 72; 34 of the wickets have gone to three spinners, of which 23 have involved no one else but the bowler. Playing spin has long been the achilles heel of England batting, something exacerbated by the revival in wrist spin by Abdul Qadir, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble and Mushtaq Ahmed; the development of alternative deliveries by the finger spinners (or more precisely reverse-wrist spinners); and, crucially, the increased use of tracking technology that has persuaded umpires that the sort of lbw decisions that hitherto were taboo are now considered acceptable and backed up as such by the Umpire Decision Review System.

For the foreseeable future, it will be down to the batsmen themselves to work out a method of playing them, starting in the third Test back in Dubai on Friday. Changes were evident in some in this match, most notably Andrew Strauss, who for much of his innings stayed on the back foot and scored in his habitual areas square. Others, such as Kevin Pietersen, strive to use their height and get forward, knowing that the pace at which Abdur Rehman and Saeed Ajmal can bowl can catch batsmen all too readily on the back foot. Essentially, though, where pad play was once an integral part of technique against spin, the ball has to be played with the bat.

It will be hard to teach old dogs new tricks, though, for much of the technique, so evident in the best players of the subcontinent, is learned in the formative years against tuppence-a-dozen spinners on the sort of pitches that England batsmen, or those hard-handed players brought up in the southern hemisphere, rarely experience. Once, soft-hand techniques and back-foot play were developed on uncovered pitches. Now it is the young batsmen who have to be tutored, a deal of their development spent at centres of excellence in India, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. A fear, though, is that the delicacies of this art will be lost in the pursuit of 60-ball hundreds and big shots.

Against this, England's bowlers have been blameless, heroic even, scarcely given a chance by their batting confrères. In this match, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson have given nothing, their line and length consistently impeccable, while Monty Panesar has made a triumphant return to Test cricket by outbowling Graeme Swann. That he is a more mature bowler now is obvious: by his demeanour through to the way he contributes to setting his own fields. As well as the new, there is still much of the old Monty to love: a lurking haplessness that hides behind his enthusiasm in the field; his ability to look like a genuine batsman until he misses one for no apparent reason. But he bowled with fizz and joie de vivre. And gone is the coltish gambolling celebratory trot of old. Now, his two-footed jump of joy is pure Pete Townshend.

Eoin Morgan's England place in doubt as Pakistan spin foxes top order

2012-01-30T15:58:00.001-08:00

Eoin Morgan is bowled by Pakistan's Abdur Rehman for another low score in England's second innings collapse. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

This does not seem a great time, on the face of it, for England to be marooned in the Middle East without their batting coach. Graham Gooch, who remains employed by the England and Wales Cricket Board on a consultancy basis even though he ended his long association with Essex before Christmas to give more time to the national team, flew home before the start of this Test – notwithstanding England's totals of 192 and 160 in Dubai.

So he will have followed this latest, even more spectacular, disintegration from home, presumably with some combination of horror and disbelief.

Andrew Strauss dismissed the significance of his absence. "Goochie was here for the preparation days," the captain said. "The batting coach doesn't bat for you – never has done, never will do."

It is also true that in their team director, Andy Flower, the England batsmen retain access to the mind of one of the finest players of spin in recent times. But as they contemplate more days in the nets facing some combination of local bowlers, bowling machines and various members of their support staff impersonating Saeed Ajmal's skiddy doosra, Gooch's unavailability to lend his expertise does not look good.

On the evidence of their first innings performances here, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott are at least heading in the right direction. Cook followed a rare double failure in the first Test, when he was undone by the early introduction of the off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez in the first innings and gloved a hook at Umar Gul in the second, by grinding to 94, England's top score of the series – although after being denied a century by Ajmal's doosra, he fell again to Hameez second time around after eking out seven from 40 balls.

Trott has looked comfortably England's most accomplished player of spin, falling twice to the seamers in the first Test – where he scored 49 in the second innings – and grafting to 74 in Abu Dhabi, where his second-innings failure could be excused by the stomach problems that had forced him to drop to seven in the batting order. But the other four members of the top six continue to grope in the dark.

Strauss offered the most extended resistance in England's second innings, but it would be misleading to claim that he was ever leading a victory bid, as he needed a lucky let-off from the television umpire to reach 32 from 100 balls before he was fifth out, falling to spin for the third time in the series. He has 68 runs from four innings, a modest total that is, nonetheless, more than Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen, England's most positive strokemakers, have managed between them.

After struggling almost as cluelessly on the second evening here as he had in falling to a pair of Ajmal doosras in Dubai, Bell had hinted at cracking the code when he moved to 29 on Friday morning, but his dismissals in each innings were disappointingly tame. Pietersen has strung together scores of 1, 14, 2 and 0, which suggests that his problems with spin continue.

But it is Eoin Morgan who must be causing the most concern, both to himself and his coaches, wherever they are. This series was seen as his big chance to confirm his ability to fill the key role at No6, whether to step on the accelerator or dig England out of a hole. Instead, after flattering to deceive in double-figure scores in Dubai, he has floundered haplessly in making three from 24 balls in two innings here.

Even though he has not batted in the middle all tour, Ravi Bopara must surely be expecting a recall when England seek to avoid the further embarrassment of a whitewash back in Dubai on Friday.

Andrew Strauss: England's loss to Pakistan is the kind that hurts most

2012-01-30T15:57:00.001-08:00

A disconsolate Andrew Strauss, right, with Stuart Broad, centre, and Monty Panesar after England's defeat to Pakistan. Photograph: Hassan Ammar/AP

Andrew Strauss admitted that England's batsmen are no closer to solving the mysteries of playing spin in subcontinental conditions as another humiliating collapse against Pakistan left them in danger of losing their hard-earned ranking as the world's No1 Test team after only three matches.

Needing only 145 to win the second Test in Abu Dhabi and square the three-match series after their heavy defeat in Dubai last week, they were skittled for 72, their lowest ever total against Pakistan, whose spin trio shared all 10 wickets inside 22 overs of mayhem – led this time by Abdur Rehman, the left-armer who took six, with Saeed Ajmal playing a skilful second fiddle.

England are now 2-0 down with one to play and therefore condemned to their first series defeat in 10 since they lost in the West Indies in early 2009, when Strauss linked up with Andy Flower, the coach, for the first time. This total was their lowest since they were all out for 51 in the first Test of that series in Jamaica, and was also the first time they have lost consecutive Tests under Strauss and Flower.

It means that they need to win the third Test that starts back in Dubai on Friday to be sure of remaining at the top of the International Cricket Council's world test rankings on 1 April – when the highest-ranked team receive a prize of $175,000. If England lose the series 2-0 or 3-0, which would be their worst ever result against Pakistan, they would be in danger of being overtaken by South Africa if they win all three Tests of their series in New Zealand in March.

But money was not on Strauss's mind as he sifted through the wreckage of another collective batting flop, in which he top-scored with 32 without suggesting he is any closer to emerging from his own personal slump.

"I'd struggle to think of a loss that has hurt more than this," he said. "These are the games that hurt the most because you feel like you've done everything you can to win the game and then you aren't able to nail the final nail in the coffin.

"Sometimes those sort of totals are the hardest to chase because you think you are almost there. It is easy to get caught between two stools, whether to be patient and wait for scoring opportunities to appear or take the bull by the horns."

England did the former, with Strauss and Alastair Cook crawling to 21 in 15 overs before the collapse began. "We just didn't play well enough, individually or collectively," the captain added. "Individually we've not been clear enough in our gameplans against spin, we've not been clear enough in our methods of where our scoring areas are and we've allowed pressure to build. It is pretty apparent and clear, there are no excuses, we need to be better than that."

Asked whether he felt England had failed to prove their right to the No1 ranking, Strauss admitted: "As I said at the start of this tour, this is the final frontier. England teams haven't done very well out here [in Asia] in the past. We felt like we had a great chance to win this series but I think the fact that we got rolled over twice in Dubai meant that there was some baggage there going into this final innings. Test cricket is hard and it exposes any vulnerability or weaknesses you have."

In 19 Tests in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and now the Gulf since 2001, England have now lost nine, drawn nine, and won only one – and will now lose their sixth series out of seven.

For Strauss's opposite number, Misbah-ul-Haq, this was another personal triumph. Since he succeeded the disgraced Salman Butt in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal and a 3-1 series defeat in England late in 2010, Pakistan have now won eight, drawn five and lost only one of 14 Tests.

They may still be some way off England's official ranking, but it is they, rather than Strauss's team, who would challenge South Africa and Australia as the form teams of world cricket.

Pakistan v England second Test: day four – in pictures

2012-01-30T15:55:00.001-08:00

All the action from the Sheikh Zayed Stadium as Pakistan won the second Test by 72 runs and take a 2-0 series lead. Extracts taken from our over-by-over report

Free admission and pitch choice could help save Test cricket

2012-01-30T15:54:00.001-08:00

Fans celebrate after Pakistan defeated England at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, where admission was free. Photograph: Philip Brown/REUTERS

We may have stumbled on a panacea for Test cricket. Crowds for this form of the game are dwindling. In Abu Dhabi admission for the Test is free and on Friday, when the local population have a day off work, the grassy banks and the main stands filled up wonderfully.

It felt like a proper Test match; the crowd reacted noisily to every twist and turn. The players were happy to have an audience; so, too, the organisers and especially happy were the television companies relaying this Test around the world. Their product is immeasurably enhanced when there is a decent crowd. Sometimes the empty stands can be kept out of the picture by a canny director, but when a boundary catch is taken in front of a thousand empty bucket seats, there is no escaping the grim reality.

Since the all-important revenue from Tests comes so predominantly from television money this free admission policy might be beneficial beyond the United Arab Emirates – especially in the subcontinent. The television companies may even increase their contracts a little to compensate for any losses in gate money.

Fortunately for the England and Wales Cricket Board such a strategy is not yet necessary at Lord's.

The locals here are intrigued and a tad blase about all these international sportsmen dropping by. The golf tournament down the road is being contested by some of the biggest names in the world. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald are there, but the same sort of principle is being applied as at the cricket stadium. It is not free but admission to watch these giants of the game is 50 dirham – about £9. And there is still plenty of space.

In Abu Dhabi they can afford free entry; in Abu Dhabi they seem to be able to afford anything. For example here may be the ideal place to build a cricket stadium with a roof. Someone would be delighted to design it and any logistical hazard would soon be cast aside. After all, they can outstrip Canute in these parts. If necessary – or rather if desired – they have shown themselves quite capable of moving the sea, which is clever, though a touch extravagant.

Abu Dhabi is meant to be the more sober, elder statesman in these parts as opposed to Dubai, where look‑at-me, gleaming bling is the order of the day. Yet even on Yas Island on the edge of Abu Dhabi, where most of us are staying, there is a hotel within the confines of the new Formula One track, which is constructed in the shape of a whale. Yes, a whale.

If they can do that, they can cobble together a roof the size of a cricket field. But there is one problem with a stadium with a roof: it never rains here. For several professional cricketers of my acquaintance such aridity would be a major downside of playing cricket in the UAE on a regular basis.

Usually the absence of rain is regarded as a plus and there have been significant plusses in this series. The pitches have been more interesting than anticipated. After all, the Dubai Test was over in three days. We were warned about the docility of Abu Dhabi, yet the match was over in four. Pakistan, quite legitimately, have been able to enjoy home conditions. England, meanwhile, have batted like men in alien territory, as if on another planet rather than just another continent.

At the International Cricket Council's Academy in Dubai all sorts of pitches are available in the net area. So it is perfectly possible that they could be bouncier and more seamer-friendly in the middle at Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Here there is the knowhow and the resources to keep dropping them in. If Australia somehow had to host a series in the UAE they could play on a Gabba pitch.

As for the players and the reporters of this series life, however surreal, can be cosier than when on a proper tour of Pakistan. Here it is possible to invest in an alcoholic drink in one of the countless swish hotels – and I use the word "invest" advisedly. In the ideal world it would be better to experience the colour and contrasts of Pakistan, but with the dire circumstances in that country, the UAE has provided us with a fine substitute.

England need Kevin Pietersen to tame Pakistan spin after new collapse

2012-01-30T15:53:00.001-08:00

England's Kevin Pietersen looks dejected after losing his wicket to Pakistan's Abdur Rehman in the second Test in Abu Dhabi. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

This will hurt England, more perhaps than anything in recent times. The last time they lost two Tests in a row was three years ago, at home to South Africa, but they were the final matches of the series. There was respite afterwards. Not so this time, with another match to play, starting back in Dubai on Friday, the melancholy of defeat still fresh and the same opponents coming at them.

This they have not experienced since the successive Ashes disasters of 2002-03 and 2006-07. When they packed away the kit at the end of last summer, they did so alongside the art of winning, for every competitive match they have played since then in all forms of the game has resulted in defeat excepting a single Twenty20 win at Eden Gardens.

Saturday's collapse had a relentless feel to it, a snowball gathering pace and mass as it rolled downhill until the game finished in an avalanche of five wickets in the space of 11 balls. It happens when a bowling side gains momentum and the adrenaline flows. That has been an England forte over the past few years.

Was England's approach too timid? It is facile to sit on the sidelines and invite attack, when such actions, had they resulted in dismissals would have been ridiculed as irresponsible. A virile start and the job would be done. Perhaps Kevin Pietersen could be sent in early. Or Eoin Morgan. Even Stuart Broad. Ideas all of them, but if the collective cannot entertain scoring 145 runs as they are, then there is something wrong.

There was no pressure of time, only of circumstance. It was a game that would be won by a single innings of consequence and contributions elsewhere. Graham Gooch always believes that being positive does not invoke recklessness but is a measure of intent. You can be positive in defence, he says. The caution shown by Strauss and Cook at the start of the innings, in which 21 runs came from 16 overs, may be seen in many quarters as merely allowing the Pakistan spinners to settle into a rhythm, but they would also have known that even if the pitch was turning a little more than on the first three days, the bowling would be easier to play once the ball lost its hardness.

In fact Strauss, although fortunate to survive through Billy Bowden's aberration as third umpire when turning down a catch offered to short-leg, looked more comfortable against spin than he has done since scoring runs in India, picking length well, playing back unless he could get forward to the pitch and looking to his best scoring areas square of the wicket. The pace of progress did not matter as long as there was progress. The determination was that, with their most accomplished fourth-innings batsman ailing (Jonathan Trott is the only member of the side whose fourth innings average exceeds that of his career), and the batting order thrown out of kilter as a result, it would be he who played the sheet anchor.

It is something of a generalisation, which we have all used, to say that England do not play spin well. This needs clarification: they do not play it as well as the best but all bar Eoin Morgan have made runs against good spin in the past. It is worth noting that a century has yet to be scored in the series so generally difficult has batting been; that it is Cook who has the top score, with 94 in the first innings in Abu Dhabi; and that Trott, Matt Prior and Broad have all made excellent half-centuries.

The real problem lies in the engine room where Pietersen, Ian Bell and Morgan have just 94 runs between them in 12 innings with seven dismissals going to Ajmal and three to Rehman. Of these it is Morgan, who is learning the trade, who has most runs, 41, but is most vulnerable. His place for the second Test was certainly debated, and he will almost certainly make way for Ravi Bopara in the final match.

Bell is being bamboozled more than most by Ajmal, although he was playing well enough in the first innings in Abu Dhabi before falling to Umar Gul and the new ball instead and was unfortunate in his second-innings dismissal. He is one of the few England players confident in using his feet and hitting over the top and down the ground.

But what to make of Pietersen? The most intuitively attacking batsman England have had since Marcus Trescothick has been reduced to a prodding introvert, shackled by the spin and racked with doubt. This is the man who hammered Shane Warne and reverse-swept Muttiah Muralitharan for six. At the moment, he is determined to play as far forward as possible, which is fine although not immune from the threat of the umpire decision review system if he misses. Planting his feet, though, in such early commitment, means that defensively he plays "curtain rail" cricket, the bat coming around his pad. Fleetingly, he tried using his feet but just the once. When he tried to hit over the top he chose not to go over the off side, but midwicket, and edged a catch from his pad instead. So far he has scored 17 runs from 84 balls of which two went for four. Not difficult to see there is a lot of blocking there. More than anything England need Pietersen to take on the spinners.

Andy Flower tells England's batsmen they must adapt and fast

2012-01-30T15:52:00.001-08:00

The England coach, Andy Flower, said his batsmen failed to reverse the pressure against Pakistan's spin bowlers. Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters

There will no hiding place for England's blundering batsmen on the rest of this tour, for the rest of the year, and even in practice sessions with their coach, Andy Flower, who pulled no punches in his analysis of the Saturday afternoon collapse that condemned the world's best Test team to a first series defeat in three years, and left them with a daunting task to avoid a historic and humiliating 3-0 whitewash by Pakistan.

Where the middle order had folded so limply against the apparently irresistible force of Abdur Rehman, Saeed Ajmal and a Pakistan team inspired by the chance to restore their country's tarnished cricketing reputation, Flower bristled with quiet intent. "I don't like being too philosophical about it because you have to take action in sport, and you can't be too accepting of failure," he said after suffering consecutive Test defeats for the first time in 11 series and 38 matches in charge. "I don't want players to be philosophical about it. The challenge ahead of us is not going to go away. The third Test will be played in similar conditions, then we have the one-day series, the Twenty20s, a series in Sri Lanka and another in India. We have to front up and take action."

When asked directly whether a team who have crumbled to spin for 192, 160 and 72 in three of their four innings in this series have the ability to rise to that challenge over the next few weeks in the Gulf, then in Sri Lanka in April and India in the autumn, Flower responded: "At the moment I think it's up for debate on the batting front. International cricket does put you under pressure – and your skills will be scrutinised by bowlers in these conditions. Both pitches have been excellent and have made for really interesting cricket. This one made for fascinating cricket for most of the time – but horrifying on the last day."

He agreed that Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott have already shown the ability to adapt, and there was no discussion of the continued concern over the captain, Andrew Strauss, which was hardly eased by a determined but unconvincing 32 in the second innings.

But Flower made no attempt to disguise his anxiety over the meagre return in the series so far from numbers four, five and six – Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Eoin Morgan – who have managed 94 runs between them from 12 innings. "You will struggle to win Tests with those contributions from the middle order," he said.

"We weren't good enough against their spin bowlers. We didn't reverse the pressure. We didn't put them under pressure – a combination of us not being skilful enough and not handling the pressure well enough. Each individual has to find his own method and tempo against the spinners and his own method of reversing the pressure.

"Kevin is now challenged by not scoring any runs in the first two Tests, definitely. But he has a record of working things out. He's a world-class player who has done a lot of great things with a bat in his hand and has helped England win a lot of games. I expect him to do it again."

Flower hinted that he is less impressed by Pietersen's decision to play Twenty20 cricket in the Indian Premier League between the Sri Lanka tour and the home series next summer against West Indies and South Africa, but said "that's a separate case".

Of Morgan, whose place would seem most likely to be taken by Ravi Bopara, Flower said: "He hasn't played for a long time and didn't get any runs in the warm-up games. He hasn't got any in either Test too so it's not surprising he's not feeling on top form. Bell didn't get many in warm-up games or either of the Tests. This is a different challenge. Playing spin here is completely different to playing it at home.

"I don't think we can get away from the fact that you have to work out a method and if that involves rethinking your strategy, you've got to do that. It's very tricky doing it mid-series – it's very tricky doing it mid-career – but there's no getting away from the fact that some of the methods we've employed over the first two Tests haven't worked."

Flower himself will play the main coaching role following the departure of the batting coach, Graham Gooch, on the first morning of the second Test. "Graham is on a consultancy contract and he's got a certain number of days a year," he said, confirming that "ideally" Gooch's role would be full-time – the reluctance to make it so, for financial reasons, now shaping as a seriously false economy.

Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll have given January sales a bad name

2012-01-30T15:43:00.001-08:00

The two strikers, currently former strikers, have been dismissed as costly flops but their failures may not be all their own doing

Fernando Torres has struggled to impose himself since moving from Liverpool to Chelsea for £50m this time last year. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP

The transfer market can give wealth a bad name. 31 January 2012 must bring a shudder to a pair of clubs. They have to note the first anniversary of spectacular spending that has mostly bought them not only disappointment but anxiety about their own powers of judgment. A year ago Chelsea paid Liverpool £50m for Fernando Torres while Andy Carroll arrived from Newcastle United to fill the vacancy at Anfield at a cost of £35m.

Different valuations would apply now. Indeed a spoof had Carroll on eBay at a reserve price of 99p. It seems a very long time ago since he and Torres wore their new jerseys to be photographed and feted. The promise is always at its peak at that moment. Newcomers of this sort are greeted as much with trust as excitement and ultimately show the fallibility that lurks within everyone in all walks of life.

Torres and Carroll were signed to bring an element of surprise to their teams but ineffectiveness was not among the intended outcomes. It is a feat of sorts that they have avoided finding the net on so many occasions. Moments of encouragement have been misleading. When Torres came off the bench to notch his first goal for Chelsea, the finish that put the side 2-0 up in 3-0 win, over West Ham United last April he was mobbed by his team-mates.

Considering he had been unable to score over a span of 903 minutes, there was the traditional claim that someone who had gone through such frustration would henceforth be irrepressible. That sentimental assumption is so far unfounded. If there is any consolation for the current manager, André Villas-Boas, it lies in the fact that the deal for Torres was done during the reign of his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti.

There is a tendency to speak of mental blocks and it does stand to reason that the instinctiveness crucial to finishers wanes when they become encumbered by second thoughts. Even so, it is a little glib to suggest that Torres should be placed in the custody of sports psychologists.

It often looks as if there is nothing much amiss with him. The excitement he can cause and the technique that underpins it were indisputable, for instance, in the middle of this month when he hit the bar with a scissors kick that left Frank Lampard to force the ball over the line for the only goal of the match with Sunderland.

Torres is frequently foiled because he seems obliged to go deep or wide in search of possession. That, in turn, may reflect a fear that the Chelsea line-up, despite some newer signings, still does not seethe with the creativity that would allow Torres to relax and wait for an opening in the central areas.

Carroll, too, could make a valid complaint about lack of service. Stewart Downing was meant to be the provider but, so far, the link with the striker has been tenuous. In his free time Carroll, born in Gateshead, likes to go back to Tyneside and perhaps he might also be sentimental about the style of play he knew after the club had risen from the Championship in the 2009-10 season.

The options included service from Joey Barton on the right and Jonas Gutiérrez on the left, with Shola Ameobi providing close support in the centre. That 4-4-2 structure is most unlikely to be provided for Carroll nowadays. However, the tactics that isolate him in attack are self-defeating. It was no coincidence that Carroll at last made his impact at the weekend when the substitute Dirk Kuyt did get close enough to collect the knockdown and score the winner against Manchester United in the FA Cup tie.

That style of football can sound coarse but it is also hard to counter when the supply to the target man is accurate. Indeed the toils of Carroll at Liverpool reflect the so far disappointing work by, specifically, the winger Downing. As it is, there has been too little scope for the striker to show the precision and power he has in his left foot.

He may not have the range of Torres but, costly as he was, that also explains why Carroll was markedly cheaper. Although both men are under scrutiny, there are too few alternatives for the clubs to abandon faith.

Chris Robshaw is just the man to lead England out of adversity

2012-01-30T15:42:00.001-08:00

Chris Robshaw looks towards England's caretaker coach, Stuart Lancaster, as the pair faced the media in Bagshot. Photograph: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

During the time Stuart Lancaster spent contemplating who to pick as England's next captain, he received a letter. It was written by one of Chris Robshaw's old teachers at Millfield School in Somerset; the advice it contained was straightforward. If England wanted a leader with the necessary qualities of integrity, application and selflessness to guide the rugby team back on to the straight and narrow, Robshaw was their man. Lancaster, and the English rugby public, can only hope their new figurehead lives up to his billing.

Robshaw certainly fits the ideal age profile. Bill Beaumont was also handed the job at 25 and went on to be one of England's favourite captains. There are only two caveats, both of which will swiftly recede if England start well. The first is the obvious drawback: one cap against Argentina in Salta in 2009 is not a substantial body of Test experience. Second, and perhaps more significantly, Robshaw was not Lancaster's first choice. Tom Wood of Northampton had been earmarked for the job before suffering a toe injury. He would also have filled the No7 jersey Robshaw looks destined to wear. What happens when Wood is fit again remains uncertain.

As a consequence Robshaw's regime is for an initial period of two games, in Edinburgh and Rome. It is a pragmatic solution which offers some leeway all-round: two defeats and Lancaster can say he was always planning to rotate the armband; two wins and Robshaw will have garnered sufficient respect to carry him through to the end of the championship. At that point a permanent coach will be appointed and all bets will be off again.

Those who have worked closest with the flanker are suitably optimistic. Conor O'Shea, Harlequins' director of rugby, has been telling anyone who would listen for the last two years that England were missing a trick in not picking a player he believed could serve England with the same quiet excellence as Richard Hill. "Is he another Richard Hill? I believe he is," said O'Shea late last year. "Hill didn't get into the England team until he was almost 24. Chris is 25 but my feeling is that once he gets in, he will stay in for a long time. Only when you look closely at him do you properly appreciate his contribution. Then it's a case of 'Oh my God, I can't believe he's doing that amount of work.'"

O'Shea is also convinced Robshaw will fit the bill as captain, the latter having led Quins successfully for the past two years. "Provided he is given the right support, he will do well in what is an incredibly challenging role," said O'Shea. "I am sure he will do a great job." There is recognition in those words that Robshaw is inheriting the tiller of a stricken vessel and is heading for Scotland shorn of its more experienced crew members.

Robshaw, who has now made almost 150 first-team appearances for Quins, knows about adversity. His father Alan died of a heart attack at 40, when Chris was five. At school he suffered from dyslexia and had to redouble his efforts to keep up academically. In his early years as a professional he suffered a series of morale-sapping injuries, including a broken leg and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament. For a player whose game was based around his fitness and work-rate it must have been an intensely difficult time.

All he could do was roll up his sleeves and give a career in rugby one more shot. The hard graft paid off when his fellow players voted him the Premiership's player of the year in 2008-09. He won his debut cap, captained England against the Australian Barbarians and the New Zealand Maori on tour in 2010 – then nothing. He was even omitted from the World Cup squad that travelled back to New Zealand last autumn, despite having impressed in the pre-tournament summer camp. It would have been easy to sulk, lose motivation and curse the unfairness of it all.

But the Redhill-born Robshaw is one of life's relentless triers. Out he went and helped steer his club to 14 successive wins in all competitions between September and December. It is possible the effort has taken its toll, as Quins have found the past month rather tougher. Whatever happens, Robshaw can be relied on to give his all. Whether that will be enough to transform England overnight is another matter.

Football Weekly: Manchester United floored in the FA Cup

2012-01-30T15:41:00.003-08:00

Liverpool make it a Manchester double as they knock United out of the FA Cup. Plus, Germany's Fantastic Four; Mourinho prepares his exit from Madrid; and more from the Africa Cup of Nations

The magic of the FA Cup, eh?

On today's Football Weekly, James Richardson has Rafa Honigstein, Barry Glendenning and Barry's sober alter ego, Evan Fanning, in the pod to look back on all the drama – not least Liverpool's victory over Manchester United.

Elsewhere, Sid Lowe tells us why José Mourinho is calling time on his highly uncontroversial spell at Real Madrid, and we interrupt Jonathan Wilson mid-biscuit as he updates us on all the news from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Amy Lawrence is with us on Thursday for Football Weekly Extra – make sure you are too.

Transfer window: Premier League team-by-team guide

2012-01-30T15:41:00.001-08:00

Sport
Football
Transfer window

Transfer window: Premier League team-by-team guide

Our football writers run the rule over the possible ins and outs for the final day of the January transfer window

Guardian staff
guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 January 2012 22.27 GMT
Article history

Blackburn Rovers will be hoping to hold on to Chris Samba despite interest from several clubs. Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images

Arsenal

What they wanted Cover up front and at left-back. The squad's reliance on Robin van Persie is well documented and neither of his deputies, Park Chu-young and Marouane Chamakh,, who is away at the Africa Cup of Nations, has so far shown himself to be capable. Due to injuries, Arsene Wenger has not named a recognised full-back in his starting line-up since 6 December.

What they got Thierry Henry on loan from the NY Red Bulls until 16 February, with an option for him to stay until 26 February, which the Red Bulls hold. It has been emotional to see Henry back in the shirt and the first of his three substitute appearances to date saw him score the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup

D-Day moves? Anyone hoping for a big-name buy, and that includes many of the players, should be braced for disappointment. David Hytner

Ins Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls, loan); Thomas Eisfeld (B Dortmund, £600,000).

Outs Luke Freeman (Stevenage, undisc); Vito Mannone (Hull, loan); Daniel Boateng (Swindon, loan); Gavin Hoyte (AFC Wimbledon, loan); Paulo Botelho (Levante, loan); Emmanuel Frimpong (Wolves, loan); Sanchez Watt (Crawley, loan); Wellington (Alcoyano, loan); Sead Hajrovic (Barnet, loan); Rhys Murphy (Preston, loan).

Aston Villa

What they wanted Villa's desire for a forward was undermined by a lack of meaningful cash to sign one. Some generous displays from defence meant a desire for reinforcement there too

What they got Most notable was the arrival of Robbie Keane on a short-term deal from LA Galaxy. Alex McLeish may yet look to extend that arrangement. The young Irish full-back Enda Stevens also signed after impressing at Shamrock Rovers

D-Day moves? Villa are among a number of clubs who have been linked with Portsmouth's Ryan Williams. The Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has been subject of speculation linking him with a transfer, although the player himself has stressed he has no intention of moving. Ewan Murray

Ins Enda Stevens (Shamrock Rovers, undisc); Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy, loan).

Outs Nathan Delfouneso (Leicester, loan); Shane Lowry (Millwall, undisc); Fabian Delph (Leeds United, loan); Elliot Parish (Cardiff, undisc).

Blackburn Rovers

What they wanted Although hardly flush with cash, Steve Kean sought new faces in attack and at right-back. Rovers were also of a mind to sell Junior Hoilett, who is entering the final months of his contract, and keep Christopher Samba at the club despite his transfer request

What they wanted The key areas identified by Kean were boosted by the arrivals of Bruno Ribeiro and Anthony Modeste. Jason Roberts departed but Hoilett remains a Blackburn player amid a raft of speculation about his future

D-Day moves? Can Rovers retain Samba? He has been perfectly plain about his desire to leave; Rovers had previously sought at least £10m for his services. EM

Ins Anthony Modeste (Bordeaux, loan), Bruno Ribeiro (Grêmio Barueri, free)

Outs Jason Roberts (Reading, undisc)

Bolton Wanderers

What they wanted Owen Coyle has been keen for at least three recruits as Bolton's manager looks to pull clear of the relegation zone.

What they wanted Cahill was lured away by Chelsea, with the United States defender Tim Ream arriving from New York Red Bulls. Made an unsuccessful bid for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha

D-Day moves? Bolton have rejected an offer from Sunderland for Kevin Davies but the forward could still move to Wearside. Coyle remains hopeful of adding a striker, Porto's Juan Manuel Iturbe and the Japanese 19-year-old Ryo Miyaichi at Arsenal potential targets. EM

Ins Tim Ream (NY Red Bulls, £2.5m).

Outs Gary Cahill (Chelsea, £7m); Jack Sampson (Southend, loan)

Chelsea

What they wanted André Villas-Boas had targeted a centre-half to replace the out-going Alex and was prepared to look at forward reinforcements given Nicolas Anelka's departure to Shanghai. He recognised the need to offer some of his fringe players more first-team football on loan elsewhere, with the club also maintaining its policy of investing in promise for the future.

What they got Gary Cahill arrived from Bolton for £7m, potentially to renew his England central defensive partnership with John Terry. Kevin de Bruyne will complete a £6.7m move from Genk on Monday but will return to the Belgian club on loan for the rest of the season. There were enquiries for Willian at Shakhtar Donetsk and Marseille's Cesar Azpilicueta. Alex left for Paris St Germain, Anelka for Shanghai, while Josh McEachran, Gael Kakuta and Patrick van Aanholt moved to Swansea, Dijon and Vitesse Arnhem respectively on loan.

D-day moves? Unlikely, although there is interest in Brazilian teenager Lucas Moura at São Paulo, who would be loaned out to gain greater experience should he eventually move to Chelsea. That deal would be revived in the summer, as could a move for Lille's much coveted Eden Hazard. The Nottingham Forest youngster Ben Bamford is another long-term target. Dominic Fifield

Ins Gary Cahill (Bolton, £7m); Kevin de Bruyne (Genk, £6.7m).

Outs Nicolas Anelka (Shanghai Shenhua, undisc); Alex (PSG, £4.5); Rhys Taylor (Rotherham, loan); Sam Walker (Yeovil, loan); Ben Gordon (Kilmarnock, loan); Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, loan); Josh McEachran (Swansea, loan); Gaël Kakuta (Dijon, loan).

Everton

What they wanted As has been the case for the past three years, someone who can put the ball in the net but does not cost much money. David Moyes's transfer plans have been complicated by the additional search for a new central defender after Phil Jagielka suffered a knee ligament injury.

What they got Landon Donovan to provide more quality and pace on the right wing, albeit for a two-month loan spell from LA Galaxy, and Darron Gibson for £500,000 from Man Utd. Moyes is still hoping to sign two more players before the deadline closes.

D-day moves? Possibly. Rangers have rejected a £5m bid for Nikica Jelavic, who they value at £8m, but talks are continuing and the Croatian striker wants to join Everton. Mick McCarthy has insisted Kevin Doyle is not for sale and Moyes the PSG forward, Guillaume Hoarau, on loan. Andy Hunter

Ins Darron Gibson (Man Utd, £500,000); Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy, loan).

Outs Diniyar Bilyaletdinov (Spartak Moscow, £5m); Aristote Nsiala (Accrington, loan); James Wallace (Tranmere, loan).

Fulham

What they wanted Martin Jol has been satisfied with the players at his disposal and there was no urgent need for additions, but he has made little secret of his frustration at the goal returns of Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson

What they got Nothing so far, save for a couple of additions to the development squad. Jol has taken heart from the improvement of Bryan Ruiz and Moussa Dembélé

D-Day moves? If either Zamora or Johnson goes, Jol will sign a striker, with Stuttgart's Pavel Pogrebnyak a target. QPR want Zamora; Wigan are among those interested in Johnson. One or two young players might get loan moves. DH

Ins Jack Grimmer (Aberdeen, £200,000).

Outs Alex Kacaniklic (Watford, loan)

Liverpool

What they wanted According to several sources, to swap Andy Carroll for Carlos Tevez. According to Kenny Dalglish, and in fairness he has been stating this for several months, nothing, unless a deal that will improve the club's prospects of finishing in the top four crops up. A proven finisher has been lacking all season, however.

What they got No one so far, despite the loss of the influential Lucas Leiva to serious injury and the aforementioned need for a goalscorer to turn those costly home draws into victories. The only transfer involving a member of the first team squad this month has been Danny Wilson joining Blackpool on loan.

D-day moves? Dalglish does not expect any arrivals or departures from Liverpool today but an astonishing U-turn by Manchester City on Carlos Tevez, in the event of a move to Milan failing to materialise and the realisation they are stuck with his disruptive and expensive presence for the next few months, would prompt (another?) telephone call to Brian Marwood's office. AH

Ins Jordan Ibe (Wycombe, £500,000); Danny Ward (Wrexham, undisc).

Outs Danny Wilson (Blackpool, loan).

Manchester City

What they wanted Another striker would be useful now Edin Dzeko is in a dry spell and Mario Balotelli can be unreliable. It would help if City and Carlos Tevez mended their relationship but he walked out and the club see it as a matter of principle to deny him a move to Milan. Signing a forward of real prowess will be difficult even for City.

What they got To date City have been dealing with peripheral matters. Nedum Onuoha, for instance, is now with QPR. The club is trying to shed its reputation for extravagance.

D-day moves? There is nothing to suggest a splurge and it would, in any case, take a remarkable signing to make any difference. Kevin McCarra

Ins None.

Outs Nedum Onuoha (QPR, £3m); Ben Mee (Burnley, undisc); Kieran Trippier (Burnley, undisc); Harry Bunn (Preston, loan); Alex Nimely (Coventry, loan); Chris Chantler (Carlisle, undisc).

Manchester United

What they wanted Sir Alex Ferguson is averse to the potential panic of the January transfer window. While Nemanja Vidic's season is at an end and Rio Ferdinand is unable to play regularly, it may be central midfield that worries . Paul Scholes has had to come out of retirement, but neither Ajax's Christian Eriksen nor Eden Hazard of Lille is likely to move anywhere until the summer.

What they got United have been clearing space. Darron Gibson has already been transferred to Everton, Féderico Macheda is now with QPR on loan and Mame Biram Diouf has gone to Hannover 96.

D-day moves? Considering the low-key approach it would be a shock if anyone of note was signed. United are still bidding to retain the League title and the Champions League will not be an issue for them until, presumably, they return to that arena next season. KM

Ins

Outs Darron Gibson (Everton, £500,000); Daniel Drinkwater (Leicester, undisc); Mame Biram Diouf (Hannover, £1.5m); Joshua King (Hull, loan); Féderico Macheda (QPR, loan).

Newcastle United

What they wanted A centre-half to replace Steven Taylor who will be out until August with a ruptured achilles tendon, a left-back and an extra striker. To offload the high-earning but now unwanted Alan Smith. To keep hold of Cheik Tioté, Tim Krul, Johan Cabaye, Fabricio Coloccini and Demba Ba.

What they got Alan Pardew seems to have held his squad together, the only departure having been Smith's, on loan to MK Dons. Newcastle also signed Papiss Cissé, a Senegal striker from Freiburg.

D-day moves? Pardew would love to sign Adrian Mariappa from Watford, a centre-half who can also play right-back. Louise Taylor So far Watford have rejected a £2m bid but a £4m offer may secure Mariappa's services.

Ins Papiss Cissé (Freiburg, £10m).

Outs Alan Smith (MK Dons, loan); Philip Airey (Gateshead, loan).

Norwich City

What they wanted To consolidate what they already had. Norwich had made a promising start to the campaign, particularly in an attacking sense, but there are limited funds to strengthen further. It appeared defensive reinforcements were most urgently required given the lack of clean sheets to date this term.

What they got The only arrival has been Jonny Howson, recruited from Leeds United much to the frustration of their fans. The midfielder is still recovering fitness after a knee injury but will be relishing the chance to test himself in the Premier League

D-Day moves? Ritchie de Laet's return to Manchester United has freed up a loan place but that would be the extent of City's recruitment. "If I think someone is right for the club, then I would look at it," said Paul Lambert. "But I'm not going to get somebody in just for the sake of it." Korey Smith has been loaned to Barnsley, and Chris Martin to Crystal Palace. DF

Ins Jonathan Howson (Leeds, £2m).

Outs George Francomb (Hibernian, loan); Oli Johnson (Oxford, loan); Korey Smith (Barnsley, loan); Chris Martin (C Palace, loan).

QPR

What they wanted A left-back, a central defender, a midfielder and at least one goalscorer, despite Federico Macheda's arrival The reasoning was simple: 35 goals conceded, and 19 scored, pre‑Hughes.

What they got Hughes has signed Nedum Onuoha from Manchester City in defence, Taye Taiwo to play at left-back, and Nancy's defensive midfielder Samba Diakité – the latter two each on loan

D-day moves? Hughes is unsure of Paddy Kenny's abilities in goal so he may try to buy a goalkeeper and he is yet to land a forward after a deal to take Henrique from São Paulo fell down when the Brazilian was refused a work permit. But he is hoping to sign Djibril Cissé from Lazio – talks are ongoing – and is considering Bobby Zamora, Sébastien Bassong and Steven Pienaar. Jamie Jackson

Ins Nedum Onuoha (Man City, £3m); Taye Taiwo (Milan, loan); Féderico Macheda (Man Utd, loan); Samba Diakité (Nancy, loan).

Outs None.

Stoke City

What they wanted Tony Pulis seemed a rare beast this month – a content manager. The Stoke manager made no great claims of adding to his squad, with the club chairman, Peter Coates, even admitting he foresaw no arrivals at all

What they got No new signings during the window. Six players have departed on loan, with Danny Pugh returning to Leeds United for an undisclosed fee

D-Day moves? Pulis has been careful not to rule out some late business. Hugo Rodallega and DJ Campbell have been mentioned as possible Stoke targets, although Pulis could wait until the end of this season before making moves. EM

Ins None

Outs Danny Pugh (Leeds, undisc); Florent Cuvelier (Walsall, loan); Ben Marshall (Sheff Wed, loan); Tom Soares (Hibernian, loan); Ryan Brunt (Tranmere, loan); Matthew Lund (Bristol Rovers, loan); Michael Tonge (Barnsley, loan).

Sunderland

What they wanted Martin O'Neill's principal ambition was to assess the squad but a striker, a midfielder and a, preferably left-footed, defender were arguably required Any imports would be expected to add experience and, ideally, pace. Meanwhile O'Neill determined to keep the much coveted Stephane Sessegnon and the homesick Craig Gardner.

What they got Nothing so far; although the unwanted defender Nyron Nosworthy has gone to Watford and the promising young striker Ryan Noble has joined Derby on loan No further departures are expected.

D-day moves? Quite possibly. While an initial bid, in excess of £1m for Kevin Davies has been rejected by Bolton Wanderers a follow-up offer is expected for the centre-forwardand O'Neill is actively pursuing an unnamed defender and unnamed midfielder. Depending on what else happens, the midfielder Bolo Zenden could yet return to the Stadium of Light. Or Emile Heskey might even arrive from Aston Villa LT

Ins None

Outs Trevor Carson (Hull, loan); Louis Laing (Wycombe, loan); Blair Adams (Northampton, loan); John Egan (C Palace, loan); Billy Knott (AFC Wimbledon, loan); Jordan Cook (Carlisle, loan); Ryan Noble (Derby, loan); Nyron Nosworthy (Watford, loan).

Swansea City

What they wanted Brendan Rodgers wanted to ward off bids for key performers such as the goalkeeper Michel Vorm and left-back Neil Taylor while also strengthening the squad – and upping the goal threat – on a budget

What they got Highly rated creative young midfielder Josh McEachran on a loan deal from Chelsea. The French defender Darnel Situ's move from Lens was also confirmed

D-Day moves? Rodgers claims not. "There's nothing active really," he said yesterday. That said, Swansea retain an interest in the Watford defender Adrian Mariappa who is also coveted by Newcastle. LT

Ins Darnel Situ (Lens, £250,000); Josh McEachran (Chelsea, loan); Gylfi Sigurdsson (Hoffenheim, loan).

Outs Vangelis Moras (Cesena, loan); Lee Lucas (Burton Albion, loan)

Tottenham Hotspur

What they wanted Harry Redknapp has a strong squad, with two players for every position but he would love to add a marquee signing to significantly improve what he already has and to give impetus to the notion that Tottenham could mount a title challenge. Then again, Redknapp usually wants one more player …

What they got Nothing as yet, apart from turning the Spanish midfielder Iago Falqué's season-long loan from Juventus into a permanent transfer and promptly loaning him to Southampton for the remainder of the campaignThe club believe that they will reap the rewards from their policy of getting on-loan playing time for their talented youngsters.

D-day moves? It is impossible to rule out last-minute business for Tottenham, even if Redknapp is preoccupied with his trial and the team has a game in the evening against Wigan. The club would rake in the money if they sanctioned the sales of their disgruntled players DH

Ins Iago Falqué (Juventus, undisc).

Outs David Button (Doncaster, loan); Dean Parrett (Yeovil, loan); Andros Townsend (Leeds, loan); Iago Falqué (Southampton, loan); Harry Kane (Millwall, loan); John Bostock (Sheffield Wednesday, loan); Tom Carroll (Derby, loan).

West Bromwich Albion

What they wanted Szabolcs Huszti, the Zenit St Petersburg midfielder, was a prime targetbut he has now returned to Russia after flying to the Midlands for talks with the deal potentially being revived in the summer. Albion are also short of goals – just 22 in the league – but as Jeremy Peace, the owner, is a financially prudent operator, a 12-15 a-season man was always going to be difficult to land.

What they got Scott Allan, the Dundee United and Scotland Under‑20 midfielder, cost £300,000 and Roy Hodgson admits he is not ready to be thrown straight in. "He is not ready to start because we have a style of play and we need our players to be in tune, not just when they're on the ball but when they're not on the ball. he's got a lot to learn in terms of his positional play and what we expect of players when the ball is lost and how we expect them to defend, how we expect them to take up new positions."

D-day moves? If you listen to the captain, James Morrison, the answer seems no. Asked this question he said: "I doubt it. It sums us up. I think it's our policy that we don't bring players in so I don't expect it to happen. The Zenit one [Huszti] is dead so there you go. We've had injury problems. This club can go places but it doesn't build. We just settle for being in the Premier League and I believe with the group of players we've got we can kick on." JJ

Ins Scott Allan (Dundee Utd, £300,000).

Outs Roman Bednar (Blackpool, free); James Hurst (Chesterfield, loan); Romaine Sawyers (Shrewsbury, loan); Lateef Elford-Alliyu (Tranmere, loan); Chris Wood (Bristol City, loan).

Wigan Athletic

What they wanted Wigan's priority was to retain their much-courted youngsters James McCarthy and Victor Moses. Roberto Martínez played down any notion of making a high-profile signing and insisted he would be willing to retain Hugo Rodallega until the summer – when his contract expires – rather than sell him now

What they got Neither McCarthy, Moses nor Rodallega has so far been prised away from the DW Stadium. Of the trio, Rodallega has been subject to the most speculation. The manager secured the signature of the Chile winger Jean Beausejour from Birmingham City

D-Day moves? Although they have denied making a formal approach, Wigan have been strongly linked with a move for the £2.5m Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard. Martínez is also a keen observer of the Scottish player market, where bargains can be plentiful. Fulham's late interest in Rodallega EM

Ins Jean Beausejour (Birmingham, undisc).

Outs Daniel Redmond (Hamilton, loan); Nouha Dicko (Blackpool, loan).

Wolverhampton Wanderers

What they wanted A midfielder and a striker to try to arrest a scored 25 conceded 40 record that has Mick McCarthy's side second-bottom and in real peril of being relegated. Jez Moxey, the chief executive, runs the club carefully, so the manager has had to look for loans and free agents to try and deepen the strength of his squad.

What they got Emmanuel Frimpong was signed on loan from Arsenal, which appears a minor coup for McCarthy as some think is worth a regular squad place at the Emirates. McCarthy is still hoping to sign a striker and will not let Kevin Doyle leave despite Everton's reported interest.

D-day moves? Nicky Maynard, the Bristol City striker, and the former Norwich midfielder Mark Fotheringham are interesting McCarthy. Of Fotheringham, 28, who has been training with Wolves and played in a reserve team game for the club on Monday, the Irishman said: "He is an experienced lad. Because he is a free agent, if anything was to happen, there is no need for it to be concluded by tomorrow [Tuesday]."JJ

Ins Eggert Jonsson (Hearts, £250,000); Emmanuel Frimpong (Arsenal, loan).

Outs David Davis (Chesterfield, loan); Sam Winnall (Inverness CT, loan); Jamie Reckord (Scunthorpe, loan); Sam Vokes (Brighton, loan); David Davis (Chesterfield, loan); Adlène Guedioura (Nottm Forest, loan).

Stuart Lancaster defends choice of Chris Robshaw as England captain

2012-01-30T15:40:00.001-08:00

It is 27 years since England named a more inexperienced captain to lead them into a major Test but Stuart Lancaster insists he does not see the choice of Chris Robshaw as a gamble. Scotland, nevertheless, may just fancy their chances against an English side guided by a caretaker coach and commanded by a man who has appeared in a solitary Test and has never visited Murrayfield in his life.

Given England have also failed to win in Edinburgh since 2004, Robshaw's captaincy baptism could hardly be more demanding. The 25-year-old has appeared just once previously for England, against Argentina in Salta in 2009, and was omitted from his country's World Cup squad last year. Not since the winter of 1984, when the uncapped Nigel Melville led England out against Australia at Twickenham, has there been a comparable scenario.

Lancaster, though, believes the Harlequins flanker is perfect for the challenge. "If you believe someone has the leadership ability and the confidence to do the job well then I think he should be given the opportunity," said England's interim head coach. "That's how I feel about Chris. It's a similar situation to myself, to be honest. I guess it's a bit of a risk to put an interim head coach in. But I'm convinced in myself and I'm also convinced in Chris. I'd have thought Scotland will be pretty confident but we've got to control what we can control."

While England will not confirm their Calcutta Cup line-up until Thursday, Lancaster has already confirmed Robshaw will start at flanker rather than at No8, a position where England are still mulling over their options. He has also stressed the new captain has been appointed for only two Six Nations games, with the situation to be reviewed after England's trip to Rome on Saturday week. Northampton's Tom Wood, originally earmarked to lead the team, has a toe injury and will be unavailable for at least the next fortnight.

Given Wood is also a flanker there is no guarantee Robshaw's tenure will be a lengthy one. As well as cementing his place in the team, the latter also has to banish the memory of a couple of dubious recent on-field tactical calls while captaining Harlequins. Rejecting a kickable penalty against Connacht in Galway 10 days ago ultimately cost Quins victory by a point and saw them knocked out of Europe. "Hopefully I can draw on those experiences," said Robshaw, admitting he had to "pinch himself" after Lancaster delivered the good news on Sunday. Scotland will unveil their starting XV on Tuesday.

Monty Panesar puts good spin on potential of partnering Graeme Swann

2012-01-30T15:39:00.001-08:00

Monty Panesar puts good spin on potential of partnering Graeme Swann | Sport
Sport
England cricket team
Monty Panesar puts good spin on potential of partnering Graeme Swann
• Bowler believes he can combine with rival England spinner
• Panesar defends batsmen after collapse against Pakistan

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Vic Marks in Dubai
guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 January 2012 22.00 GMT
Article history
Monty Panesar faces the media ahead of England's third Test against Pakistan in Dubai. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
Dear old Monty obviously got the short straw. They needed someone to deliver a long spell in torrid conditions, the equivalent of bowling tirelessly into a strong, unhelpful wind. Monty was volunteered and as ever he did his best.
In the wake of a calamitous England batting collapse, which meant that Pakistan go into the final Test in Dubai in danger of suffering from DRS (no, nothing to do with umpiring this time, but Dead Rubber Syndrome), Monty Panesar was the player put forward by the management – as they are obliged to do – to chew the fat over England's predicament.
Their predicament is that they cannot score any runs, which is not really Monty's area of expertise. But he did a noble, selfless job to defend his colleagues even if some of his responses prompted some head scratching. At one point he said, "Our batters are in a good place".
Which takes some believing. Moreover, in his refusal to lay any blame on the batsmen above him in the order, Panesar was incredibly self-deprecating. "My failure to take wickets at a quicker rate in the first innings possibly cost us the match," he said. "In that innings [Graeme] Swann carried me. I need to learn how to take wickets quicker." Well, which bowler doesn't?
This was obfuscation on the scale of Ted Dexter in India in 1993. As chairman of selectors he blamed England's lamentable performance on that tour (they lost 3-0) to the players' stubble, the smog and the unfavourable alignment of the stars in a masterly attempt to deflect attention from the real reasons. Panesar must have been trying to do the same on Monday.
England lost the Abu Dhabi Test because their batsmen were inept, not because of Panesar's efforts in the first innings, when he arguably performed better than Swann, even if the figures suggested otherwise. He was clearly determined to be generous to everyone in the England squad — except himself.
He was especially quick to praise Swann, once his county colleague at Northamptonshire (though they did not play in the same XI that often): "He was great for me [in Abu Dhabi], he made me feel part of the team".
Panesar stressed how much he enjoyed trying to plot Pakistani wickets alongside Swann and he said that he saw his old off-spinning pal as a partner, not a rival for a place in the team.
However, it has not been a very fruitful partnership so far. We are a long, long way from Laker/Lock territory; we are not even very close to the old union of Edmonds and Emburey.
Swann and Panesar are two fine spinners, but so far their record for England together is very modest. They have played together just five times: in Chennai, Mohali, Trinidad, Cardiff and now Abu Dhabi. England have lost the first and last of those games and drawn the other three. It may not be the fault of either spinner but they have yet to taste victory together.
Nor can we assume that they will become regular partners. They may well play together in Dubai this week, in two Tests in Sri Lanka in March and four in India next November/December. Everywhere else England will lean towards a three-seamer attack supported by one spinner. Panesar may crave to be that spinner or, in his ideal world, a partner for Swann, but this will not happen very often unless Tim Bresnan is magically ordained as a world-class all-rounder.
Panesar outbowled Swann in Abu Dhabi, where he demonstrated beyond doubt that he is ahead of any potential rivals, like the young Danny Briggs or the ancient Gary Keedy. But he remains the second spinner. Swann offers more runs, more catches at second slip and more cricketing nous – and he has had a superb two years. For the moment he is the undisputed No1 unless England keep coming across Test teams devoid of any left-handers. This was another reality that Panesar preferred not to address yesterday.
We cannot blame him too much for that. "I'm not thinking too far ahead," Panesar said. "I have had to wait for two and a half years for this game." The 29-year-old's performance in Abu Dhabi did him plenty of favours and it means that England's spin bowling is not the immediate issue.
The problem is finding an effective middle order in subcontinental conditions and, despite Monty's protestations, the England batsmen were only in a "good place" on Mondaybecause they were not plonked down in front of a load of old pressmen trying to fathom out why they cannot score any runs.

Liverpool apologise for including alleged racist gesture in club video

2012-01-30T15:38:00.001-08:00

Footage part of highlights of victory over Manchester United
• 'This was a mistake, we are sorry it happened,' say club

ordan Henderson, left, competes with Antonio Valencia during Liverpool's 2-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Liverpool have issued an apology after footage of a supporter making an alleged racist gesture during the club's 2-1 victory over Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday featured in a video on the club's official website.

The scene was accidentally included in a highlights package of the FA Cup fourth-round win and was immediately removed after being brought to the attention of club officials.

Nevertheless the incident is an embarrassment for Liverpool in light of recent events, most notably Luis Suárez's eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra and the alleged racist abuse suffered by the Oldham defender Tom Adeyemi during the League One club's 5-1 defeat at Anfield in the FA Cup third round.

"Footage featuring an alleged incident during the match was mistakenly included in the highlights package on the club's website," read a Liverpool statement issued to the BBC. "This was a mistake, it should not have been included and we are sorry it happened. It was removed immediately when it was brought to our attention."

A 58-year-old man from north Wales has been bailed by Merseyside police after being arrested for making an alleged racist gesture during the victory over United. An image of the man making the alleged gesture was distributed on Twitter and police received a number of complaints.

Milan Mandaric says payment to Harry Redknapp was a friendship gift

2012-01-30T15:37:00.001-08:00

Former Portsmouth chairman tells court of $145,00 payment
• Mandaric denies money was connected to employment

Milan Mandaric arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Monday. Photograph: Andrew Winning/Reuters

The former Portsmouth owner Milan Mandaric paid $145,000 into a Monaco bank account to do something "special" for his then manager, Harry Redknapp, as a "friend", not as a bonus on Redknapp's salary, Mandaric told a court on Monday. Giving evidence for the first time at Southwark Crown Court in his and Redknapp's trial on charges of failing to pay tax allegedly due on that and a further payment of $150,000, Mandaric said he paid the money to Redknapp as "an expansion of our togetherness, from being football people into friendship territory".

Over two hours in which he was questioned by his own defending barrister, Ken Macdonald QC, Mandaric said he and Redknapp had grown close beyond their professional relationship at Portsmouth, where Redknapp joined as director of football on 29 August 2001, then became the club's manager on 27 May 2002. The court heard that Redknapp's initial salary at Portsmouth, then in the Championship, was £1.775m a year, which increased to £3.025m a year when he became manager, a contract backdated to become effective from 18 March 2002.

Following the club's promotion to the Premier League in May 2003, which Mandaric described as "a dream", in March 2004 Redknapp's salary was increased by a further £1.19m to approximately £4.2m a year.

Mandaric said that quite quickly after Redknapp joined the club, until their relationship soured when the manager left for Southampton, they had a very close relationship and became family friends. They went on holiday together, Mandaric said, met up with their wives and spent a New Year's Eve together at a hotel in the New Forest. He also said that he went to Redknapp's house to play with the dogs in his garden.

"We developed a friendship," Mandaric said. "It is great to have a professional relationship in football and I always had this with managers. But I never had a friendship as I had with Harry. We expanded our friendship over and above football business. He was a special guy, he was a special manager but above all he was a special friend."

Mandaric, currently owner of the League One club Sheffield Wednesday, and Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur's current manager, are accused of two counts of cheating the public revenue. The prosecution alleges that the $295,000, paid into a Monaco bank account with $145,000 in May 2002 and $150,000 in April 2004, was in connection with Redknapp's employment and as a reward for his services, and that tax should therefore have been paid on it. Mandaric repeatedly denied that the payments were due to Redknapp under his contract, as the manager's bonus for the profit Portsmouth made when they sold the striker Peter Crouch to Aston Villa in March 2002. He said Redknapp was due only 5% of the fee Portsmouth received for Crouch, not 10%, for which Redknapp had asked, and Mandaric said he had refused to pay the extra.

Instead, Mandaric said, he paid $145,000 into the account in Redknapp's name as "seed money" to build Redknapp an investment portfolio, "to do something special for Harry", as a friend. The further $150,000 was paid in 2004, Mandaric said, because the investments via Monaco had lost their value. Mandaric said he had become "embarrassed" by those losses, which had become public, so he replenished the account with $100,000, and provided Redknapp also with a "nominal profit" of $50,000.

Both men deny the charges, and the trial continues.

Sarkozy reignites war of words with UK

2012-01-30T15:28:00.001-08:00

Despite outward signs that they get along well, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy are not believed to be the best of friends. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

The French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, has reignited his cross-Channel war of words by accusing the UK of "having no industry left" during a primetime broadcast on national television.

Sarkozy, biding for re-election this spring, but trailing in the polls behind the socialist challenger François Hollande, was outlining his plans for raising VAT on Sunday night when a journalist pointed out that a similar move in the UK had seen a rise in inflation and had set back the economy.

"The UK has no industry any more," Sarkozy said in a response that recalled recent outbursts by his finance minister, François Baroin, and the Bank of France governor, Christian Noyer, that Britain should have had its credit rating downgraded before France because the UK had a weaker economy and higher deficit.

Tensions between Paris and London fell to a nadir after David Cameron used his veto at December's crunch EU summit but government sources sought to play down the latest remarks. One British source said: "It is not true. The percentage of GDP that is manufacturing is 11%, the same as in France. He has got an election."

As Cameron arrived in Brussels on Monday he told Europe's politicians they needed to "get really serious" about promoting jobs and growth in the EU. "We need to complete the single market, agree trade deals and make serious efforts to deregulate small businesses," he said.

In a further sign Sarkozy is facing a desperate fight to stay in power, it has emerged that Angela Merkel has pledged to help him on the campaign trail. Hermann Gröhe, general secretary of Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), confirmed at the weekend that she would "actively support Nicolas Sarkozy with joint appearances in the election campaign in the spring".

While it is not uncommon for certain world leaders to campaign on behalf of friends in neighbouring countries – Vladimir Putin has often vigorously supported candidates in former Soviet states – European politicians tend not to interfere with elections elsewhere.

They may support each other on certain issues – former German chancellor Helmut Kohl famously appeared on French TV alongside François Mitterand ahead of a referendum on France joining the euro – but to board the battle buses and speak at rallies was a new step, said Ulrike Guérot, an expert on Franco-German relations at the European Council on Foreign Relations. It was likely to become more common, she said, as European leaders build a "transnational democracy".

Anke Hassel, professor of public policy at the Berlin-based Hertie School of Governance, said it was very unusual for a serving European leader to campaign for an international colleague's re-election. She too believes such cross-border support could become commonplace. "I think we are in a profound period of change. Things are really being stirred up with the signing of the new fiscal treaty. This is the first step towards a much deeper integration on the political side of things."

The strength of the endorsement is surprising for more personal reasons. Though the French and German leaders have got along better as the euro crisis bites deeper, the pair are far from best of friends. At a gala in Frankfurt before Christmas marking the departure of the head of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, Sarkozy allegedly made rude remarks about Merkel's fondness for cheese.

Merkel's surprise announcement caught Paris on the back foot as Sarkozy, also of the centre-right, has yet to officially declare his candidacy for the election, which will take place over two rounds on 22 April and 6 May.

"I did not know she voted in France," the French presidentsaid in an interview with multiple television channels on Sunday evening. Hassel, however, said she did not believe Merkel would have endorsed Sarkozy without his agreement.

Meanwhile, Hollande will seek to reassure the City on a visit to London next month after being accused of "political vindictiveness" towards Britain's financial heart. The Socialist party candidate will begin a cross-Channel charm offensive aimed at calming growing tensions and re-establishing the entente cordiale amid accusations that he has it in for Britain's banks and financial institutions.

The 24-hour visit is pencilled in for late February and although details have not yet been finalised, Hollande's advisers say he will "almost certainly" meet Ed Miliband and that would hope to talk to David Cameron.

"François Hollande is certainly not the bogeyman who has the City of London in his sights," a member of his campaign team said.

"I suspect this is some chicanery from the right to misconstrue his proposals, because there is no anti-City crusade in what he is proposing. He has said he wants financial institutions to be better regulated, but he is only saying what others, including Barack Obama and the Financial Times are saying … that having saved the banks in 2008 they should not be speculating on countries and stopping them from getting back on their feet."

The adviser, who did not wish to be named, added: "The world of finance has to go back to its primary role, which should be to finance the real economy and not speculate. Even some great capitalists and fans of the free market agree with this."

At an election meeting of Sarkozy's UMP party in Paris at the weekend, Gröhe is said to have declared that the CDU was convinced Sarkozy "is the right man in the Elysée, now and in the future", the Süddeutsche Zeitung reported. "We need a strong France with a strong president in charge. That person is our friend Nicolas Sarkozy," said Gröhe.

He criticised Sarkozy's presidential rival, the socialist François Hollande, who before Christmas travelled to Germany before Christmas to offer comradely support to the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Merkel's main domestic rival.

"The Socialists are stuck in their dreams of the past. All they are doing is bringing out dusty concepts and wealth distribution fantasies from their moth-ridden policy cupboard," said Gröhe. None of Hollande's "hitherto vague pronouncements" had not offered a solution to the "pressing problems of our time", he added

Indian boys dress up as Gandhi

2012-01-30T15:27:00.001-08:00

On the eve of the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's death, 485 boys dressed up as Gandhi at a peace rally in Calcutta, in a bid to create a new Guinness World Record and promote non-violent protest

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 29 January 2012 16.12 GMT
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Afghan man strangles wife for having baby girl

2012-01-30T15:26:00.003-08:00

Afghan police say local militia member, who is still at large, killed the woman after she gave birth to a third daughter

Reuters in Kabul
Monday 30 January 2012 12.06 GMT
Article history

Burqa-clad Afghan women: human rights watchdogs inside and outside Afghanistan fear women's rights may be sacrificed when foregin combat troops leave the country in 2014 Photograph: Shah Marai/AFP/Getty Images

An Afghan man killed his wife for giving birth to a third daughter rather than the son he hoped for, police in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province have said.

The victim, 28, known by the one name of Storai, was strangled by her husband, a local militia member, and his mother on Saturday "in revenge" for bearing the couple's third daughter three months ago in Mohasili village, police said.

Police said they arrested the victim's mother-in-law in connection with her death, but Storai's husband was still at large, probably sheltered by armed militia colleagues.

"The existence of militiamen is a huge problem and therefore we face difficulty in arresting him," said the Kunduz police chief, Sufi Habib.

Nadera Geya, head of the Kunduz women's affairs department, called the killing one of the worst examples of violence against women she had encountered.

Violence against women is commonplace in Afghanistan. In late November in the same province, an Afghan family that refused to give their daughter in marriage to a man they considered irresponsible was attacked at home by assailants who poured acid over both parents and three children.

Police later arrested the rejected suitor and his three brothers for the attack.

With foreign combat troops set to leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014, and moves ongoing to kickstart a peace process involving the Taliban, rights watchdogs inside and outside Afghanistan fear women's rights may be sacrificed.

"The rights of women cannot be relegated to the margins of international affairs, as this issue is at the core of our national security and the security of people everywhere," the US embassy in Kabul said in a statement on Monday.

Out of Afghanistan: incredible stories of the boys who walked to Europe

2012-01-30T15:26:00.001-08:00

Living in a danger zone: in Afghanistan, children are still being recruited for suicide-bombing missions and planting explosives. Photograph: Ashley Gilbertson /VII Network

Behind the security bars of a spartan, white-tiled room, 25 youths are arranging bedrolls on the floor. The workers on the Salvation Army nightshift, who watch over these lone foreign teenagers in a shelter in a gritty corner of Paris, are distributing sheets and sleeping bags; there are a couple of boys from Mali and a contingent of Bangladeshis; the rest have travelled overland, by every conceivable method, from Afghanistan.

The youngest are 13 years old, pint-sized cousins from Kabul who arrived that morning after a journey of five months. They take off their trainers and place them at the end of their bedrolls. One of them, Morteza, gingerly peels off his socks. The undersides of his toes are completely white.

I ask what happened to his feet. "Water," he says. Where was he walking in water? Mohammed, the boy on the next bedroll who knows more English, translates. "In the mountains," he says. Which mountains, I ask, thinking about the range that forms the border between Turkey and Iran. "Croatia, Slovenia, Italy,'' Morteza says. Mohammed intervenes. "Not water,'' he clarifies. "Snow."

Suddenly I understand. Morteza's feet are not waterlogged or blistered. He has limped across Europe with frostbite.

The next day I run into them watching the older Afghans play football in a park. Morteza's 13-year-old cousin Sohrab, pale and serious beyond his years, recounts, in English learned during two years of school in Afghanistan, what happened. "Slovenia big problem,'' he says, explaining how he and Morteza, "my uncle's boy'', were travelling with eight adults when they were intercepted by the Slovenian police. Two members of their group were caught and the rest made a detour into the mountains. They spent five days in the snow, navigating by handheld GPS, emerging from the Alps in Trento, in the Italian north.

The road to peace: 13-year-old Morteza spent five months travelling from Kabul to Paris. His journey took him through Iran, Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia and Italy Photograph: Ed Alcock/MYOP

Morteza acquired frostbite on the penultimate part of a 6,000km journey that detoured through the Balkans: through Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia. Their aim is to join their uncle who lives in Europe, the solution their relatives found after Morteza's father was killed in an explosion. His mother died earlier "in the war''; Sohrab lost his own father when he was 11.

Morteza and Sohrab are among the world's most vulnerable migrants. Like scores of Afghan teenagers in transit across Europe, they are in flight from violence or the aftershocks of violence that affect children in particularly harsh ways. Those who turn up in Paris have spent up to a year on the road, on the same clandestine routes as adults, but at far greater risk.

No one knows how many unaccompanied Afghan children have made it to Europe. Paris took in just over 300 in 2011 – the biggest nationality among the 1,700 lone foreign minors in its care. Sarah Di Giglio, a child-protection expert with Save the Children in Italy, says that last year the number of Afghan boys – there are almost never girls – passing through a day centre in Rome had doubled from the year before, to 635.

Asylum statistics are another measure, though they give only a rough indication since many children never make a claim. Still, at 4,883, Afghans were the biggest group of separated foreign children requesting asylum in 2010, the majority in Europe.

While some are sent out of Afghanistan for their own safety, others make their own decision to leave. Some are running from brutality, or the politics of their fathers, or recruitment by the Taliban. Others have been pushed onwards by the increasing precariousness of life in Pakistan and Iran, countries that host three million Afghan refugees.

Blanche Tax, who is responsible for country guidance at the United Nations refugee agency in Geneva, says security is deteriorating in Afghanistan, which Unicef described two years ago as the world's most dangerous place to be a child. From January to September, she said, 1,600 children were reported killed or injured, 55% more than the previous year.

A report to the general assembly of the UN security council on 13 December 2011, meanwhile, said "the killing and maiming of children remains of grave concern". "The most frequent violations continued to be recruitment and use of children, including for suicide bombing missions or for planting explosives,'' the report continued. It highlighted a recent rise in "cross-border recruitment by Taliban – as well as attacks on schools''. And it added 31,385 cases of "severe acute malnutrition" among minors to a litany of child-specific damage that already includes landmines, sexual violence and forced labour.

It is from this maelstrom, and its spread to Afghanistan's south, north and east, that Morteza, Sohrab and others have fled. I first came across adolescents like them three years ago, when I saw them squeezing between the railings of a Paris park to sleep on cardboard among the shrubberies or in the bandstand, along with adult refugees. When the police raided the park and started to patrol it with dogs, they bedded down under the swings of a playground, or on the edges of a canal.

Subsequent raids have moved them on again, but they still play football there or under a railway bridge, in teams that sometimes take on the local boys. They find the undersized Salvation Army shelter by word of mouth, or through a reception office for unaccompanied foreign minors run by a French NGO called France Terre d'Asile (FTDA). It's the only emergency place of refuge for the children, and is oversubscribed: lately 20 or so have been turned away each evening, to sleep in a corner of a park or metro station, or walk the streets all night in order to keep warm.

Omar, 16, was separated from his father while fleeing Afghanistan Photograph: Ed Alcock/MYOP

In the entrance to the FTDA office for minors I stumble upon Omar, a slender 16-year-old with a ski hat pulled low over his eyes. He is leaning on the counter by himself, too tense to wait on the seats with the other boys. He is doodling with a yellow marker pen on a sheet of paper on which someone before him has pencilled the word "Tunisia".

"All my family are very worried about my father,'' Omar says. "We don't know where he is.'' This is almost the first thing he tells me. He expresses this same anxiety four times in our conversation, and I realise that what initially I took for tension was distress.

From a village in Afghanistan's Logar province, just south of Kabul, Omar says he is the eldest of five. Enmities from the Soviet era up-ended his life. "I did school in Afghanistan for three years and I wasn't able to go more,'' he said. "My grandfather said don't go to school, we have enemies who will kill you; stay in the house and don't go out in the village a lot." His father and grandfather had "done jihad with the Russians", he said; those they had sided against came back and "gave a warning". His grandfather sold their almond orchard and paid $11,000 to a smuggler to get him and his father out.

Travelling with Omar's uncle, the three made it as far as Turkey before being stopped by the police. Everyone scattered. Separated in the confusion, Omar was deported to Afghanistan. He said his uncle had contacted his grandfather to let them know he was all right; from his father they have had no word.

Omar set off again, spending the next five months on the road. He moved in and out of the hands of smugglers, was held with dozens of others in "passenger houses'', then abandoned in a deserted place on the Turkish side of the border with Greece. There, he and his companions waited, night after night without shelter, for a guide. Finally they gave up and struggled back to Istanbul.

On his second attempt Omar swam a wide canal and walked for five hours in wet clothes, heading on his smuggler's instructions towards the lights of a Greek town. There he was picked up by the police and held for three days in a room with 15 men. The next four nights he spent in a train station in the northern Greek town of Alexandroupolis, until a railway employee paid his fare to Athens. He waited 25 days in another passenger room before being crammed, with 32 others, into the back of a truck. Told to bring two packets of biscuits and no water, they spent 30 hours inside. "There was no air and it smelt very bad," he said. The driver abandoned them in Italy.

He caught trains to Milan, and then Cannes, with three other boys. "We slept on the earth next to the sea and we were so cold," he says. Arriving in Paris, he spent six nights on the street before asking at this office for help. "I want to live here,'' he says. "People don't hurt me in France." And yet, they already had. A few days earlier three men had mugged him in a Paris park. They stole his bag that contained his last €30 and the slip of paper that bore his grandfather's phone number, severing his last link to his family.

In the state of anxiety he was in, it was hard for him to think about the future. "I want to have peace,'' he said. And if he were able to stay in France? "I'd like to go to school,'' he said, "if they give us the opportunity to go." For many of the kids going to school seems like an enormous privilege, but first they have to be accepted as minors. That means going before a judge, who can order bone x-ray exams – which have a two-year margin of error – if he disbelieves their age; they may have to wait months to get formal protection.

Waiting in hope: boys from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and sub-Saharan Africa line up in the hope of being offered a bed for the night Photograph: Ed Alcock/MYOP

By the time they turn 18, these teenagers will have to prove they speak French and have embarked on a profession in order to have a chance of regularising their status. For Afghan boys with almost no prior schooling, the pressure is enormous. "They have no time to have their adolescent crises,'' says Pauline Ferrais, head of the education service at the Maison du Jeune Réfugié (MJR), a day centre. As Pierre Henry, managing director of FTDA, puts it: "Some have spent one or two years on the roads of Asia and Europe in extreme conditions playing with the laws of survival, and we ask them to respect very strict rules in an education system that makes no allowances for them." Yet teachers remark that those who do go to school have a dynamic effect on the class. It's something that's been noted by Romain Levy, the deputy mayor for Paris with special responsibility for minors. "Because of their motivation they act as an engine and pull the other kids up," he says.

But Paris's budget for providing for minors is stretched. And elsewhere in Europe the likelihood that these boys will get a second chance at a childhood is waning. Sweden, alarmed by the 1,693 Afghan teenagers who requested asylum there in 2011, has teamed up with Britain, Norway and the Netherlands to create the European Return Platform for Unaccompanied Minors, or Erpum, an EU-funded project that aims to send them back.

Susanne Bäckstedt, its Stockholm-based co-ordinator, denied reports that Erpum wanted to establish care centres in Kabul. She said the programme would be voluntary, and only involve minors who had exhausted asylum appeals and wanted to rejoin their families. "We are not discussing care centres,'' says Bäckstedt. "We will only send them back if their family can be traced.'' That, she says, meant "a welcoming family'' who would come to the airport to meet them.

Erpum hopes to start repatriations of 16- and 17-year-olds this year, provided the Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation agrees; Bäckstedt confirmed Erpum has a target of deporting 100 Afghan minors by the end of 2014. The prospect has alarmed child-protection bodies, who fear such initiatives will push those in Europe underground. They want reassurances over how the minor's best interest would be established, stress the danger to the tracers of inaccurate information, and warn that families who have spent thousands of dollars to send a son to safety will have incurred debts in which collateral can include the betrothal of a younger sister to an older man. "Family tracing is not as innocent as it sounds," says one children's rights researcher. The European Council on Refugees and Exiles also opposes returning minors to Afghanistan.

Governments concerned about deterring minors from embarking on hazardous journeys risk missing the point about why children flee in the first place, says Judith Dennis, policy adviser at the UK Refugee Council. "We share concerns that children's journeys to safety are often dangerous,'' she comments, "but it is inappropriate to suggest that the international response should be to discourage them from escaping the threats in their country.''

Young refugees at the Maison du Jeune Réfugié, trying to reorientate themselves after the long journey to Paris. Photograph: Ed Alcock/MYOP

Every Afghan minor who has survived the endurance test that reaching Europe entails has a story of equal parts courage and grief. Some of them are too frightened, or too traumatised, or simply too young to be able to explain the forces that have borne them here.

I meet Jalil, a round-faced 16-year-old from Kunduz, in Afghanistan's north, between classes at the MJR, where he is taught French. "This is my first school,'' he says with pride. His only education hitherto had been from a neighbour in Afghanistan who came to his house at night to teach him English, "one word at a time", from a book.

Jalil took his future into his own hands after being orphaned. He had lost his mother to "a heart sickness" when he was nine or 10 and was living with his father, who was killed "three years and four months ago". "Someone said he helped the Taliban," Jalil tells me. He didn't witness the attack. "But my brother saw that and now he is mad,'' Jalil says. "He can't talk. It is like he is finished. He is 22 years old.''

Young refugees at the Maison du Jeune Réfugié. Photograph: Ed Alcock/MYOP

He and his younger siblings moved to his uncle's house, where he was often beaten. "He was cruel, cruel, cruel," Jalil says of his uncle. His brother-in-law helped him get away, paying $4,000 to a smuggler to get him to Turkey. Barely 15, he went first to Pakistan, then Iran, and on to Turkey and Greece. He had no money so he stayed there "a long time", living by washing windows, then crossed into Italy from the Greek port of Patras by clinging to the chassis of a truck. After a nine-month journey he reached Paris in August, and slept for a month in the street. Now he is learning the language and goes every day after class to "the library with headphones" at the Pompidou Centre. "I go there and listen to French," he says. "The plan is I study more to be a doctor, but if I cannot do a big job I will do a little job. If I can't be a doctor I will be an electrician.''

Pierre Henry of FTDA believes that Europe should be investing in these teenagers. "You don't win war, democracy, hearts with occupying armies,'' he says, pointing out that educating these minors would help create the diaspora that will one day rebuild their country. "It puts paid to all our values if we can't take care of those among the world's disinherited children who come to us."

A week later I pass by the meeting point where the new arrivals gather to be chosen for the 25 places in the Salvation Army shelter. Forty-five boys are waiting in a ragtaggle line against a supermarket wall, and every one of them is new. Sohrab and Morteza, the boy with frostbitten feet, have left; they are back on the road. There is no sign of Omar. Jalil, who lined up here four months ago, now has a place in a hotel, though sometimes he stops by a nearby soup kitchen, where many Afghans gather, to speak his language again. The others have disappeared on their search across Europe for some place that will allow them to stay. They leave only their stories behind.

Hinterland, a novel by Caroline Brothers about Afghan boys in Europe, is published on 2 February by Bloomsbury, £14.99. To order a copy for £11.99 with free UK p&p, go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop or call 0330 333 6846

Syria: Army retakes Damascus suburbs - Monday 30 January

2012-01-30T15:25:00.001-08:00

News
World news
Middle East Live

Syria: Army retakes Damascus suburbs - Monday 30 January

• 'At least 37 killed' as violence continues
• Russia tries to set up peace talks in Moscow
• Read a summary of today's key events
• Read more: Army digs in after retaking Damascus suburbs

Smoke rises from the suburb of Irbeen in Damascus. Photograph: Handout/Reuters

8.47am: Welcome to Middle East Live. It was a bloody weekend in Syria. Here's a summary of the main developments.

• Troops seized back eastern suburbs of Damascus from rebels late on Sunday after an unprecedented operation that saw around 2,000 troops and at least 50 tanks and armoured vehicles flood the area, according to activists. An activist named Kamal, in the eastern al-Ghouta area on the edge of the capital, told Reuters:

The Free Syrian Army has made a tactical withdrawal. Regime forces have re-occupied the suburbs and started making house-to-house arrests.

Maher al-Naimi, a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army of defectors fighting Assad's forces, appeared to confirm that account:

Tanks have gone in but they do not know where the Free Syrian Army is. We are still operating close to Damascus.

The Guardian's Luke Harding writes:

The unprecedented operation appears an attempt to regain the initiative from the rebels, who have grown increasingly bold in recent weeks. The BBC's Middle East correspondent, Jeremy Bowen, discovered the FSA openly manning roadblocks in Damascus last week, just 30 minutes away from Bashar Al-Assad's presidential palace.
The insurgency, which is still raging in towns and cities across Syria - with further protests in Aleppo on Sunday — has now definitively reached the capital.

The Washington Post says the regime "is looking weaker than at any point during the past 10 months", according to analysts, in an article written before the army reportedly seized back the Damascus suburbs:

Assad still holds the loyalties of the security forces, particularly the officer corps drawn mostly from his own Alawite sect. Diplomats in Damascus suspect, however, that defections among the rank and file are accelerating faster than had previously been thought, as soldiers deployed without leave on low pay for nearly a year find themselves drawn to the revolt.
A ceasefire agreement under which security forces were forced to withdraw from the town of Zabadani, 20 miles west of Damascus, leaving it in the hands of the Free Syrian Army, came about in large part because the government feared soldiers would defect in large numbers if they were forced to keep attacking the city, according to activists in the town and diplomats.
"In Syria, looking weak is a dangerous thing, and if they can't control the Damascus suburbs, they do look weak," said a western diplomat.

• Activists said that more than 60 people were killed on Sunday, many of them in the Damascus suburbs. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 27 civilians were killed Sunday, most of them in fighting in the Damascus suburbs and in the central city of Homs, a hotbed of anti-regime protests. Twenty-six soldiers and nine defectors were also killed, it said. The soldiers were killed in ambushes that targeted military vehicles near the capital and in the northern province of Idlib. The Local Co-ordination Committees (LCCs) said 64 people were killed nationwide, including 16 in the Damascus suburbs (it does not include army deaths). Saturday was even bloodier, according to the LCCs, which reported 98 deaths. The LCCs' reports cannot be independently verified.

• The increase in violence came after the Arab League suspended its widely-criticised monitoring mission on Saturday, citing the "critical deterioration of the situation in Syria and the continued use of violence". The League's chief, Nabil Elaraby, flew to New York on Sunday to try to win support on the UN security council for his peace plan, designed to end the violence through political means. Syria has categorically rejected the Arab League's plan as "foreign interference". A draft resolution echoing the Arab League plan - which would see Assad step down in favour of his vice-president and allow free and fair elections - could be put to the vote in New York this week, but there were indications that Russia, Syria's closest strategic ally and key military supplier, would block it.

9.22am: The Local Co-ordination Committees, which report on protests in Syria, say there has been renewed shelling in the Damascus suburbs today.

They report explosions in Maleiha and Saqba. The LCCs also say Rankous, 20 miles north of Damascus, which has been under tank fire since Wednesday according to activists, has suffered renewed shelling with several homes destroyed.

The reports can not be independently verified.

9.34am: The US-based Syrian exile Ammar Abdulhamid has blogged that attacks on the apparatus of the Assad regime "will become part of daily life in Damascus and its suburbs":

Some reports claim that a major attack on the General Headquarters of Air Force Security near Damascus' own Tahrir Square in Central Damascus did take place. Others speak of an attack on the local police station of Naher Eisheh in Old Damascus. There have also been reports of clashes between loyalists and rebels in Rabweh Region to the northwest of Damascus. Security forces did open fire on protesters in Jobar neighbourhood in the eastern parts of Damascus. The neighbourhood is practically an in-city extension of Eastern Ghouta Region.
Still Assad loyalist troops have managed [to re-establish] their presence in various communities in Eastern Ghouta and Qalamoun, but this is far from re-establishing control. Rebels simply don't have enough arms and ammunition for direct head-on combat at this stage. Mounting guerilla warfare, on the other hand, is a different matter. Indeed, and for the foreseeable future, attacks on loyalist troops and security headquarters, checkpoints and convoys will become part of daily life in Damascus and its suburbs in tandem with loyalist crackdown, killings and detentions.

Activists have posted video footage purporting to be of the assault on the Damascus suburbs on Sunday.

This video of troops walking alongside a tank was reportedly filmed as they entered Ain Terma.

This purports to show shelling of Irbin.

The New York Times has a picture gallery of Rankous, 20 miles north of Damascus, near the Lebanese border, which has been under siege from government troops since Wednesday, according to activists.

9.50am: The Syrian state news agency, Sana, reports that "an armed terrorist group" has attacked a gas-pipeline running from Homs to Banias, near the border with Lebanon.

There have been a number of attacks on pipelines since the Syrian uprising began in mid-March with the government consistently blaming armed terrorist groups. The Assad regime says such groups are behind the violence that has engulfed the country since protests began.

Sana also claims that an armed terrorist group killed a doctor in Homs "in the framework of targeting the Syrian medical, technical, and technological expertise".

Update 10.07am: The Local Co-ordination Committees claim that the doctor, Mostafa Safr, was killed by the Assad regime because he "contributed in the treatment of the wounded in the revolution".

Neither Sana's claims nor the LCCs' can be verified.

9.58am: In the Financial Times, Roula Khalaf writes that Saudi Arabia is becoming an increasingly significant player in the international community's response to events in Syria:

By withdrawing Saudi members from the team of Arab monitors, a decision that was quickly followed by other Gulf states, and by calling for "all possible pressure" on Damascus and holding a meeting in Cairo with the Syrian opposition, the prince dealt a blow to a mission he deemed a failure and injected momentum into stalled diplomacy ...
Saudi Arabia has now given fresh ammunition to western allies at the UN security council to push back against Russia, which has so far blocked action. The Arab League is asking the security council to adopt a peace plan that calls on Mr Assad to give powers to a vice-president and form a national unity government ...
"The substance of what is being offered and the fact that it is the Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, that are doing the engagement gives a window of opportunity to turn the Russians around," says Salman Sheikh, analyst at the Brookings Doha Centre.

Photograph: Str/AFP/Getty Images

10.30am: The Syrian opposition has claimed that Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife Asma, tried to flee the country with help from the security forces. From the Jerusalem Post:

The sources told Al-Masry Al-Youm that "a convoy of official vehicles was seen heading to the airport in Damascus", before they were intercepted by brigades of army defectors.
According to the source, there was a heavy exchange of fire, which prevented the family's escape, who then returned to the presidential palace.

We cannot confirm this report.

Mrs Assad has been criticised by many for staying silent during the bloodshed in Syria, while Vogue magazine was also condemned for a gushing profile of her - later taken down - entitled "A Rose in the Desert", which praised the Assads as "wildly democratic".

She made a rare public appearance with her children at a rally in Damascus earlier this month (above left). But in today's Times, Martin Fletcher says her views on what is happening in the country remain a mystery (paywall).

A Saudi newspaper recently claimed that she had intervened to help some employees of one of her charities who were arrested for joining an anti-government demonstration. In September she reportedly summoned some aid workers to find out what was really happening in Homs, although she apparently remained expressionless when they told her. A family friend told a Syrian source based in London that she "wasn't sleeping at night because she's so worried".
Of course, it is possible that living in relatively peaceful Damascus and being surrounded by regime stalwarts, Mrs Assad really believes the regime's propaganda about the opposition being a bunch of armed terrorists. It is possible that she is in denial, especially as she appears to be devoted to her husband and may well believe that he alone can hold his disparate country together. But neither scenario seems likely. "She's too clever — too smart — for that," the Arab commentator says. "She knows everything. She's fully aware," says her former Syrian colleague, who insists that she has full access to the internet and western media. "She's highly intelligent and worldly wise. I find it very difficult to imagine she shares the view that this is a conspiracy of saboteurs and al-Qaida," says a friend of her father's.
Everyone agrees, however, that if she is appalled by the crackdown there is little she can do except plead with her husband in the privacy of their home.

11.37am: The Syrian Revolution General Commission said this morning that 18 people had been killed by the army and security forces today, eight in the suburbs of Damascus, six in Homs, three in Deraa, and one in Idlib.

Reuters is reporting that "street battles" are taking place in the suburbs of Damascus this morning. Syrian troops have control of Hamouriyeh, according to activists and residents, the news agency writes.

As troops advanced through Saqba, the Free Syrian Army of defectors "mounted scattered attacks".

In Deraa, in the south, residents told Reuters that defectors and government troops were fighting gun battles that had left 20 dead, most of them government troops.

11.45am: Amar al-Sadeq (a pseudonym), a Damascus-based activist with the Syrian Revolution Co-ordinators Union, says that nine people have been killed in the Damascus suburbs today.

Damascus-based activist: The fighting in the capital"s suburbs is "very significant because the regime can’t hide this from its loyalists" (mp3)

He says the fact that the army has regained control of some of the suburbs is not a concern in itself but the rising death toll is.

This scenario has been repeating itself so many times over the 10 months of the revolution. The army have done this several times before in Homs City, in Idlib, in Hama. They would go in, they would deploy themselves there and make extra checkpoints but they were not able to gain control for many reasons.
The Free Syrian Army use the guerilla-warfare style for the operations and they can really easily mobilise and relocate. They will be able to launch operations on those checkpoints if necessary and the army will not be able to sustain its deployment there for a very long time. What we are afraid for is the civilian casualties ... For example, yesterday 18 were killed [on the outskirts of Damascus], today so far nine were killed, including a child. They would usually retaliate against all the area just for hosting the soldiers who have defected or simply because its an area of protests against the regime.
It hasn't yet reached the centre of Damascus city, it's still in the outskirts even though some of the outskirts are very, very close to the city. It's very significant because the regime can't hide this from the people in Damascus, its loyal people ... It's very significant and we think it's a very critical time for the regime considering the estimated number of 50,000 defected soldiers all around the country.

Sadeq also commented (off tape) on the reports that Bashar al-Assad's wife has tried to flee the country (see 10.30am). He said he could not confirm the reports but said it was "very likely for Assad to send his family away at this stage".

11.50am: Russia seems to have begun its moves to block or slow the progress of a UN security council vote on the Arab League plan for Bashar al-Assad to step down as Syria's president, Reuters reports.

Gennady Gatilov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, said that recommendations from the Arab League monitors in Syria should be presented to security council members, including Russia, before there was a "substantive discussion of this issue" by the security council.

Gatilov said:

It would be logical, considering the complexity of this issue, for security council members to be able to study the recommendations and conclusions of the observer mission in detail. Only after that would it be possible to count on a substantive discussion of this issue in the security council.

Nabil Elaraby, the chief of the Arab League, is due to brief security council members tomorrow to seek support for the league's plan. Britain and France want the security council to vote next week on a draft resolution supporting the plan, which would see Assad step down in favour of his vice-president and allow free and fair elections.

On Friday, Gatilov said the draft resolution was unacceptable in its current form and an attempt to rush it to a vote would fail, suggesting Russia might veto it. Assad's resignation must not be a precondition of a peace process in Syria, he said.

View Middle East Live blog locations in a larger map

12.12pm: Here is a map showing the location of various places in the Damascus suburbs that we have reported on today.

Hamouriyeh - Syrian troops have control, according to activists and residents.

Saqba - The Free Syrian Army mounted "scattered attacks" on government troops as the troops advanced through this area.

Tahrir Square - Some reports claim that there was a major attack on the General Headquarters of Air Force Security near Damascus' own Tahrir Square in Central Damascus over the weekend.

Old Damascus - There are reports of an attack on a police station here over the weekend.

Rabweh - There have also been reports of clashes between loyalists and rebels in Rabweh region to the northwest of Damascus over the weekend.

Jobar - There are reports security forces opened fire on protesters here over the weekend.

Ghouta - There are reports the regime has reoccupied this area and the Free Syrian Army has withdrawn.

Irbin - A video purports to show shelling here.

Rankous - Reportedly under siege by government troops since Wednesday.

12.19pm: The Syrian Electronic Army, a group of web activists loyal to the Assad regime, hacked into al Jazeera's Syria live blog and replaced coverage of protests with pro-government pictures, ars technica reports:

The relationship of the Syrian Electronic Army to the government itself is unclear. However, the group's domain was registered in May of 2011 in Tartous, Syria, and its site is hosted on servers maintained by the Syrian Computer Society — a group Assad was the head of before assuming Syria's presidency, and introduced the internet to Syria in 2001 ...
On their own site, the Syrian Electronic Army announced the "code re-penetration" of the site by a "professional Syrian battalion" of hackers, denouncing al Jazeera for broadcasting "false and fabricated news" to "ignite sedition" among the people of Syria and achieve the goals of "Washington and Tel Aviv.

In September the group hacked Harvard University's website and it is the second time this month it has targeted al Jazeera, according to the report.

Syrian TV has accused al Jazeera of inciting unrest in the country and even of building "cinematic replicas" of Syrian cities and squares in the Gulf state of Qatar in order to fabricate the uprising in Syria.

12.22pm: Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, is to travel to the UN in New York tomorrow to push the security council to pass a resolution on Syria, Reuters reports.

1.05pm: The Local Co-ordination Committees, which report on protests and violence in Syria, have been posting on their Facebook page about people killed in clashes with security forces across the country today.

As we have been discussing in the comments below this blogpost today, none of their claims can be independently verified because of the difficulties in getting permission to report from Syria.

Idlib

The LCCs say a man named as Mohammad Fakher Ghadry was killed by Syrian security forces at a checkpoint in Idlib, in the north of the country.

Homs

In Homs, in the west of Syria, the LCCs list 15 dead so far today, including four children.

They write that security forces and the Shabiha (ghost) pro-Assad militia killed a family of five, named as Mohammad Turki Al-Mohammad, Ebtisam Al-Khodr and their children Amjad, Tahiyat and Ahmad. In addition, they report that a 10-year-old child, Talia Salibi, was killed by a sniper in the Karam Zaytoun area. Bilal Farook Al-Fashkha, 27, was shot dead by a sniper at Karm Shamsham checkpoint, they claim, and Mohammad Nour Dalleh, Ghazwan Al-Naser and Adham Sabsabi were killed by security forces in Qusoor. They write that Zakaria Mohammad Ferzat, 28, was killed in the Rastan area of Homs today. Another, unnamed man, was also killed in Homs today, they write. A defector, Naji Fajr Bashan, was also killed, they write. A doctor who treated "the wounded in the revolution", named as Mostafa Safr, was also killed in Homs, the LCCs write. Also in Homs, Jamal Idris was killed in Baba Amr by "indiscriminate shelling", they say.

Damascus suburbs

Six people have been killed so far today in the suburbs around the capital, the LCCs report.

The LCCs report arrests and raids by security forces and the Shabiha in Hajar Aswad and Hamouriyeh, Damascus, as well as shelling in Hamouriyeh. Five were killed today in Hamouriyeh, they claim, reporting the sounds of "large explosions and violent clashes in different areas in eastern Ghouta".

A demonstration marched for the Grand Mosque in Jobar, chanting about the army's presence in the Ghouta area to the east of Damascus. They post a video purporting to be of students demonstrating in Moadamiya, in the suburbs of the capital.

In Irbin, also in the suburbs of Damascus, "the regime's forces have been attempting to storm the city since the morning from two sides, forcing the residents of Sarout neighborhood to flee," the LCCs claim.

In Zamalka, in the suburbs of the capital, Omar Mohammad Jameel was killed, the LCCs report.

Deraa

In Deraa, in the south of the country, the LCCs say two young men were killed at a checkpoint in Daeel: Marwan Mohammad Taha Shihadat and Mohammad Atallah Al-Ghazzawi. Two others were also killed by security forces, one named as Mohammad Hosain Naeem Ayash. In the Seida area of Deraa, Saeel al-Ghanem was killed by "random shooting", they report.

Three more people were killed in the Deraa area of Harak, they report, one named as Abdelrahman Hariri and one as Bashir Ghbari.

The LCCs post video purporting to be troops and Shabiha arriving in Nasseeb, Deraa, and write that there have been clashes between the Free Syrian Army and the regime's army there.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES. They also post a video purporting to be of the "martyred" body of a man killed in Herak, Deraa, named as Abdul Rahman Al-Hariri. Another body is also shown.

They post two videos of protest marches in Deraa.

Hama

In Hama, just north of Homs, the LCCs claim the city is at a "complete standstill" after shelling during the night.

This map shows where all of those places are.

1.22pm: Here is a summary of today's key events so far.

• Violence continues in Syria today, with activists reporting over 30 people killed in clashes with security forces today, around half of them in Homs, in the west of the country (see 1.05pm). Fighting also continues in the suburbs to the east of Damascus, the capital, where the army moved in to regain control yesterday. The Free Syrian Army of defectors are regrouping and using guerilla tactics, Damascus-based activist Amar al-Saadiq (a pseudonym) told the Guardian (see 11.45am). He claimed there were 50,000 defected soldiers in the FSA now and said it was "very significant" that the rebellion appeared to be reaching the outskirts of the capital. US-based Syrian exile Ammar Abdulhamid said guerilla attacks on government troops would soon become a part of daily life in Damascus and its suburbs (see 9.34am).

• Russia has begun moves to slow down progress towards a UN security council vote on an Arab League plan that would see Bashar al-Assad step down as president in favour of his deputy (see 11.50am). Britain and France want the security council to vote next week on a draft resolution supporting the plan. The Saudis are seen as being key to changing the Russians' minds (see 9.58am).

• The Syrian opposition has claimed that Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife Asma, tried to flee the country with help from the security forces (see 10.30am). This cannot be verified.

• The Syrian state news agency, Sana, has reported that "an armed terrorist group" has attacked a gas pipeline from Homs to Banias (see 9.50am).

1.25pm: The Syrian authorities have agreed to take part in talks in Moscow mediated by Russia, and Russia hopes the Syrian opposition will also agree take part, the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement today, Reuters reports.

But a senior member of the Syrian opposition council told Reuters separately that no invitation had been received from Moscow and that it would be refused anyway.

Moscow has offered to host the talks in an effort to end the violence in Syria that has been going on since protests began against Bashar al-Assad's rule 10 months ago.

Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, is to address the UN security council in New York tomorrow to try to push the Arab League peace plan forward. While not calling for UN sanctions against Damascus, the draft resolution does say that the security council could "adopt further measures" if Syria does not comply with its terms.

1.59pm: State media and the opposition both report violence in Dera'a, in the south of the country,but inevitably with differing narratives.

Sana, the state news agency, says six soldiers, including a colonel, have been killed by "an armed terrorist group while they were in the line of duty".

It says the group attacked a car carrying the soldiers in the Dera'a countryside and in the clash a number of the attackers were injured or killed.

The Local Co-ordination Committees, which report on protests, say there have been clashes between troops loyal to the regime and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Deraa. They accuse the Shabiha (pro-regime militia) and security forces of raids in Deraa. They report the death of one member of the FSA in Deraa and also five civilians (see 1.05pm). Their reports cannot be independently verified.

2.22pm: Earlier, we reported the hacking of al-Jazeera's Syria blog by the Syrian Electronic Army, a group of web activists loyal to the Assad regime (see 12.19pm).

Opposition hackers have also been busy, in their case hacking a Russian government website (bizarrely, it appears to be the website for Russia's embassy in Singapore).

Here is a screenshot of the webpage.

The wording underneath says Russian ammunition is killing Syrian women and children and it says Rusisia is providing "moral support for [the] Syria regime in [the] United [Nations] security council [to] disrupt any solution to protect the Syrian people from the dictator's crimes, which [are] supported by [the] Russian regime".

2.28pm: The Guardian's Syria interactive has been updated to reflect the clashes in the Damascus suburbs.

2.37pm: The first senior military officer to defect during the Syrian uprising has been executed, AFP reports. It quotes the Syrian League for Human Rights as saying:

An air force intelligence unit last week carried out a sentence to shoot dead officer Hussein Harmush.

He appeared on Syrian state television in September "confessing", after his return home in unclear circumstances.

The lieutenant-colonel defected in June with senior members of an army unit responsible for a crackdown in the town of Jisr al-Shighour.

He had been received by Turkish officials but when he disappeared from a refugee camp in September, opposition activists claimed he had been betrayed by his hosts as part of a deal in which he was traded for nine members of the PKK Kurdish militant group.

2.46pm: A video has been posted online of protesters unfurling the Syrian independence flag from a bridge crossing a major road.

Activists say it was filmed at the Mazzeh Highway in Damascus.

3.09pm: Military defectors claim to have destroyed nine tanks and the political security headquarters in al-Rastan, Homs, according to the Local Co-ordination Committees. Homs has been a hotbed of protests against the Assad regime. This video purportedly shows the operation. A tank can be seen bursting into flames. The claims cannot be independently verified.

3.36pm: A blind cleric who is an outspoken critic of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has fled to Jordan, according to a dissident.

Mosque preacher Ahmad al-Sayasneh was smuggled into Jordan on Saturday from the rebellious border town of Deraa through a hilly northern border area devoid of Syrian patrols, said Fadi Abu Mustafa of the Free Syrian Army. Mustafa says Jordanian police are questioning the cleric.

Al-Sayasneh, a Sunni Muslim, preached at Deraa's Omari Mosque, delivering sermons calling for civil disobedience. Syrian dissidents say he was jailed and tortured for his anti-Assad remarks.

3.59pm: Danny Abdul Dayem, a British citizen of Syrian descent who said he was shot in Homs last year, and recalled his experience on BBC2's Newsnight appears to have returned to the restive city.

In this video, purportedly filmed today, he claims to be in the opposition hotbed of Babr Amr.

Smoke can be seen in the background and explosions heard. Dayem says:

"One of the router bombs just landed over there. You can see the smoke ... Over 100 router bombs landed in Babr Amr today."

Another video from today purports to show a farmer being shot at while lying on the ground in Babr Amr.

4.19pm: Reuters quotes Walid al-Bunni of the Syrian National Council as rejecting Russia's plan to host peace talks between the Syrian government and the opposition in Moscow. Al-Bunni said:

We rejected the Russian proposal because they wanted us to talk with the regime while it continues the killings, the torture, the imprisonment.

Here is the Russian foreign ministry statement announcing the talks:

We have received a positive response from the Syrian authorities to our call [to hold talks in Moscow]. We hope ... that the Syrian opposition will agree to that in the next few days, putting the interests of the Syrian people above all other concerns.

Reuters notes: "Moscow's offer of talks may be an attempt to strengthen its arguments against a western draft resolution at the security council supporting an Arab League call for Assad to cede power."

Reuters reports fighting in Deraa today as killing at least 20 people, "most of them government forces", as well as fighting between troops and rebels in Homs.

The Associated Press reports that the Arab League resolution on Syria has the support of at least 10 UN security council members, citing a French official. This means it can go up for a vote.

4.21pm: Egypt's military rulers are considering ways to speed up the transition to civilian rule, including moving up the date for presidential elections, following a series of mass street protests in the past week to commemorate the first anniversary of the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak, according to the Associated Press.

4.37pm: The Local Co-ordination Committees, which report on protests and violence in Syria, have posted more updates on their Facebook page. These cannot be independently verified.

In Hama, they report heavy shelling and clashes between regime forces and the Free Syrian Army at the Madiq Citadel.

In the Damascus suburb of Mouadamiah, two students were shot when a headteacher called the security forces to report his students demonstrating at his school. The security forces fired live ammunition and nail bombs, the LCCs report.

In the Damascus suburb of Jobar, residents have declared a strike in solidarity with Ghouta in the east, the LCCs report.

In Jabal Zawieh in Idlib, regime forces are shelling a village called Sarja with heavy weapons, the LCCs report, and there are reports that the entire population has fled.

In Homs seven people were killed when a building collapsed after the minaret of a mosque was hit with two artillary shells, the LCCs say. There was "random shelling" of homes using heavy machine guns.

The LCCs also posted videos of various demonstrations around the country.

4.44pm: Here is a summary of today's key events so far.

• Violence continues in Syria today, with activists reporting at least 37 people killed in clashes with security forces today, the majority of them in Homs, in the west of the country (see 1.05pm). Fighting also continues in the suburbs to the east of Damascus, the capital, where the army moved in to regain control yesterday. The Free Syrian Army of defectors are regrouping and using guerilla tactics, Damascus-based activist Amar al-Saadiq (a pseudonym) told the Guardian (see 11.45am). He claimed there were 50,000 defected soldiers in the FSA now and said it was "very significant" that the rebellion appeared to be reaching the outskirts of the capital. US-based Syrian exile Ammar Abdulhamid said guerilla attacks on government troops would soon become a part of daily life in Damascus and its suburbs (see 9.34am).

• Russia claims the Syrian government is ready to attend peace talks in Moscow – but the opposition Syrian National Council has rejected the idea (see 4.19pm). Russia may be attempting to reduce support for a UN security council resolution supporting an Arab League proposal for Bashar al-Assad to step down as president in favour of his deputy and institute free and fair elections. Britain and France want the security council to vote next week on the resolution. The Saudis are seen as being key to changing the Russians' minds (see 9.58am). Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby is to seek support tomorrow for the peace plan.

• The first senior military officer to defect during the Syrian uprising has been executed, AFP reports (see 2.37pm). Hussein Harmush defected in June with senior members of an army unit responsible for a crackdown in the town of Jisr al-Shighour.

• The Syrian opposition has claimed that Bashar al-Assad's British-born wife Asma, tried to flee the country with help from the security forces (see 10.30am). This cannot be verified.

• The Syrian state news agency, Sana, has reported that "an armed terrorist group" has attacked a gas pipeline from Homs to Banias (see 9.50am).

Pass notes, No 3,115: Brooklyn

2012-01-30T15:24:00.001-08:00

Brooklyn Bridge. Photograph: Jumper

Age: Around 360.

Appearance: Hipsterville, USA.

Meaning what, exactly? Hordes of hat-wearing poseurs raiding racks of clothes at 5th Ave thrift stores – and wood-walled coffee places where would-be intellectuals chatter over piped-in Iron and Wine. Although admittedly, that's mostly Williamsburg.

What's Williamsburg? Brooklyn's capital of cool: the land of the indoor shades-wearer, where the ironic man is king, kitsch is classy and classy kitsch and somehow, don't ask me why, but somehow it just makes sense to hand over $150 to a vintage store for a ceramic Minnie Mouse. Oh, and apparently barmen there are wearing their hair in buns now.

Sounds awful. And therefore ironically really great.

No, just awful. Whatevs. Clearly you just don't "get" it.

Clearly. What's the rest of Brooklyn like, anyway? As diverse as you'd expect from the borough that brought the world Jay Z, Jerry Seinfeld, Woody Allen and Larry David.

So it's hipsters, Jay Z and Jewish comedians? Basically, yep.

That's not really all that varied. Nope.

And what have the people of Brooklyn done to merit a pass notes? Oh, that. Well, some of them are going to start powering their homes with human poo.

I'm sorry? They're going to power their homes with human poo.

As in the stuff that comes out of people? Yes, that human poo.

Is that ironically cool now? Probably, but that's not why they're doing it.

Why are they? Because it's good economics – and not bad for the environment either. Human faeces have always produced small amounts of methane gas, but engineers have discovered a way to ramp that up to small industrial levels by heating waste in special "eggs". Brooklyn residents are to be among the first to contribute. If the scheme works according to plan, the borough's Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant will soon be producing enough power to heat 2,500 homes.

Do say: "They're making money from old crap."

Don't say: "That's vintage shopping for you."

Thailand backs Twitter censorship policy

2012-01-30T15:23:00.001-08:00

News
World news
Thailand

Thailand backs Twitter censorship policy

Thai government becomes first to publicly endorse Twitter's decision to permit country-specific censorship of content

Yingluck Shinawatra, the Thai prime minister, has vowed to protect the monarchy over the internet. Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott/EPA

Thailand has become the first government to publicly endorse Twitter's controversial decision to censor messages in certain countries.

Twitter announced last week it would permit country-specific censorship of content that could violate local laws, prompting debate worldwide over freedom of speech.

In Thailand, where censorship laws are already heavily enforced, the information and communication technology minister, Jeerawan Boonperm, called Twitter's decision a "welcome development" and said the ministry already received "good co-operation" from internet companies such as Google and Facebook.

The Thai government would soon be contacting Twitter to "discuss ways in which they can collaborate", she told the Bangkok Post.

In China, the state-run Global Times also endorsed the new rules in an article on Monday: "It is impossible to have boundless freedom, even on the internet and even in countries that make freedom their main selling point," it said.

Twitter is blocked in China, but many users access the site by accessing external networks.

According to the regulations, a tweet from Thailand could be blocked at the request of an individual, a company, or the government. However, while it will be invisible to users in Thailand, the tweet can still be seen by users in other countries.

Thailand has some of the toughest censorship laws in the world, ranking it 153 out of 178 in Reporters Without Borders' 2011 Press Freedom Index. Thailand's lese-majeste regulations inhibit defamatory, insulting or threatening comments about the royal family, which are punishable by up to 15 years in prison, but under Thailand's 2007 computer crimes act prosecutors have been able to increase sentences.

Last year, a 61-year-old Thai national was jailed for 20 years for sending defamatory text messages about the monarchy, while a Thai-US citizen received a two-and-a-half year prison sentence for translating a banned biography of the king.

While the information ministry has blocked thousands of websites in recent years – mostly related to online gambling, pornography and lese-majeste cases – Monday's endorsement comes at a time of heightened tension over censorship rules.

A lese-majeste monitoring centre was opened in December and is manned 24 hours a day by staff trawling the net for offensive material. Facebook users already face potential jail time if they click "like" or "share" on any sites deemed offensive to the monarchy, while anyone sending a link, forwarding or revisiting websites with lese-majeste content also need beware, authorities have said.

Despite open and repeated calls for relaxed censorship laws, Yingluck Shinawatra last week said the monarchy should be respected and vowed to "protect the institution, not exploit it".

Thailand's endorsement on Monday could have profound ramifications across the region, said Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch Thailand, while it already "adds more damage to an already worrying trend in Thailand".

"Twitter gives space to different opinions and views, and that is so important in a restricted society – it gives people a chance to speak up," he said. "But if this censorship is welcomed by Thailand, then other countries, with worse records for human rights and freedom of speech, will find that they have an ally."

Sea trafficking report reveals how ships move guns and drugs

2012-01-30T15:22:00.003-08:00

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute study reveals how arms dealers target western-owned maritime companies

The report says while cargo containers are vital for trade, they also allow smugglers to operate far more easily. Photograph: Alessandro Rizzi/Getty Images

Most ships involved in reported cases of sanctions-busting or illicit transfers of arms, drugs and equipment that could be used in the development of missiles and weapons of mass destruction are owned by companies based in the world's richest countries, according to the first comprehensive study of maritime trafficking.

The ships are primarily commercial lines based in Germany, Greece and the US, according to the report, released on Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

"This doesn't mean the ship owners, or even the captains, know what they are carrying. But it is relatively easy for traffickers to hide arms and drugs in among legitimate cargoes," said the report's co-author Hugh Griffiths.

The report shows that the methods adopted by arms trafficking networks in response to UN embargos on Iran and North Korea were pioneered by drug traffickers.

They included hiding goods in sealed shipping containers that claim to carry legitimate items; sending the goods on foreign-owned ships engaged in legitimate trade; and using circuitous routes to make the shipments harder for surveillance operations to track.

"Containerisation has revolutionised international trade, but it also provides ideal cover for traffickers. So many shipping containers pass through the world's ports every day that only a fraction can be inspected," Griffiths said.

"Ship owners and even customs officers often just have to take it on trust that what's inside the container is what it says on the cargo documents".

The report shows that in cases where the ship owners, operators and captains appear to have been directly involved in the trafficking attempt, the ships tended to be older and to be sailing under "flags of convenience". They regularly performed badly in safety and pollution inspections when they entered ports.

Newt Gingrich trailing in polls as Romney attack ads take effect

2012-01-30T15:22:00.001-08:00

News
World news
Mitt Romney

Newt Gingrich trailing in polls as Romney attack ads take effect

Estimates suggest Romney outspending rival in Florida significantly as Gingrich complains of being 'carpet-bombed'

Ewen MacAskill in Tampa
guardian.co.uk, Monday 30 January 2012 18.55 GMT
Article history

Advertising agencies estimate that Mitt Romney and his supporters have spent about $9m in Florida to about Gingrich's $3.8m. Photograph: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Newt Gingrich is reeling from being subjected to one of the most expensive and sustained negative ad bombardments in recent US political history ahead of Tuesday's Florida primary.

About 2 million Republicans are expected to participate in the primary to choose a candidate to take on Barack Obama in November.

The exact amount of spending on television and radio ads across Florida is kept secret for commercial reasons – and to avoid giving too much information to rival political camps. But advertising agencies estimate that Mitt Romney and his supporters have spent about $9m in Florida to about Gingrich's $3.8m.

"Gingrich is catching more hand grenades than he is throwing," said Ken Goldstein, president of the main group tracking ad buys, Kantar's Campaign Media Analysis Group.

Goldstein said there had been other relentless advertising campaigns, but he had never seen this level of negativity before. "In a primary, it is extraordinary," he said.

Gingrich, well behind in the polls and heading for defeat in the state, has complained of being "carpet-bombed" by the number of ads bought by Romney. Out on the campaign trail in Florida on Monday morning, Gingrich estimated he was being outspent in advertising by "between four and nine to one, depending on how many weeks you measure" and described many of Romney's ads as "totally dishonest."

Over the last week, according to media advertising insiders, Romney and his supporters have been outspending Gingrich by between three to one and four to one.

Gingrich's campaign manager vowed that Gingrich will fight on in the states beyond Florida. The other two candidates left in the race, former senator Rick Santorum and Texas congressman Ron Paul, have abandoned Florida and are campaigning elsewhere.

A Quinnipiac University poll of likely Republican voters on Monday had Romney at 43%, Gingrich 29%, and Santorum and Paul tied at 11%.

In a series of television appearances on Monday morning, Romney acknowledged that his relentless criticism of Gingrich was paying off in Florida, though he added that his strong debate performance on Thursday night was also helping.

One of Romney's ads concentrates on Gingrich being reprimanded on an ethics violation by both Republicans and Democrats in the House while he was speaker more than a decade ago. It shows a picture of Obama and says: 'If Newt Gingrich wins, this man would be very happy.'

Romney's radio ads also challenge the veracity of Gingrich's repeated claim to have been close to Republican hero Ronald Reagan. Gingrich is trying to counter this by being joined on the campaign trail Monday by Reagan's son, Michael.

The former Massachusetts governor and his supporters have paid for well over 10,000 ads, which means each Republican voter should have seen at least three ads.

Romney's campaign has spent about $4m in advertising in Florida, while his Super Pac, Restore Our Future, has spent an estimated $5m. A supreme court ruling in 2010 removed restraints on campaign spending, paving the way for the emergence of the Super Pac.

Goldstein said: "The Romney Pac is airing more ads than the campaign and spending much more. The combined targeting of Gingrich comprises an overwhelming proportion of the advertising in Florida."

In the 2008 Republican primary in Florida, Romney spent $5.6m to former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani's $3m, and $2.1m for senator John McCain, who won, in spite of spending the least. The significant difference this time, apart from the rise in spending, is that the ads are almost all negative.

Gingrich is supported by a Super Pac of his own, Winning Our Future, which is being backed by the Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his family, which has contributed $10m this month.

The former House speaker is putting out a 63-second ad asking: "What kind of man would mislead, distort and deceive just to win an election?" With a picture on Romney on the screen, the narrator says: "This man would."

Canadian jury finds Afghan family guilty of 'honour killings'

2012-01-30T15:21:00.001-08:00

Three members of an Afghan family living in Canada have been sentenced to life in prison for the murders of three teenage sisters and the ex-wife of one of the defendants Link to this video

A jury in Canada has found three members of an Afghan family guilty of drowning three teenage sisters and another woman in what the judge described as "cold-blooded, shameful murders" resulting from a "twisted concept of honour". The verdicts concludes a case that shocked Canadians.

Prosecutors said the defendants killed the three teenage sisters because they felt they had dishonoured the family by defying its strict rules on dress, dating, socialising and using the internet.

The jury took 15 hours to convict Muhammad Shafia, 58; his wife Tooba Yahya, 42; and their son Hamed, 21. They were each found guilty of four counts of first-degree murder, which carries an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

After the verdict was read the three defendants again declared their innocence in the killings of sisters Zainab, 19, Sahar 17, and Geeti, 13, as well as Rona Amir Muhammad, 52, Shafia's first wife in a polygamous marriage.

Their bodies were found 30 June 2009 in a car submerged in a canal in Kingston, Ontario, where the family had stopped for the night on their way home to Montreal from Niagara Falls, Ontario.

The prosecution alleged it was a case of premeditated murder, staged to look like an accident after it was carried out. Prosecutors said the defendants drowned their victims elsewhere on the site, placed their bodies in the car and pushed it into the canal.

The Ontario superior court judge Robert Maranger said the evidence clearly supported the conviction.

"It is difficult to conceive of a more heinous, more despicable, more honourless crime," Maranger said. "The apparent reason behind these cold-blooded, shameful murders was that the four completely innocent victims offended your completely twisted concept of honour ... that has absolutely no place in any civilised society."

In a statement following the verdict, the Canadian justice minister, Rob Nicholson, called honour killing "barbaric and unacceptable in Canada".

Defence lawyers said the deaths were accidental. They said the Nissan car accidentally plunged into the canal after the eldest daughter, Zainab, took it for a joy ride with her sisters and her father's first wife. Hamed said he watched the accident, although he didn't call police from the scene.

After the jury returned the verdicts, Muhammad Shafia, speaking through a translator, said: "We are not criminal, we are not murderer, we didn't commit the murder and this is unjust."

His weeping wife, Tooba, also declared the verdict unjust, saying, "I am not a murderer, and I am a mother, a mother."

Their son, Hamed, speaking in English said: "I did not drown my sisters anywhere."

Hamed's lawyer, Patrick McCann, said he was disappointed with the verdict. His client would appeal and he believed the other two would as well.

The prosecutor, Gerard Laarhuis, said: "This jury found that four strong, vivacious and freedom-loving women were murdered by their own family in the most troubling of circumstances.

"This verdict sends a very clear message about our Canadian values and the core principles in a free and democratic society that all Canadians enjoy and even visitors to Canada enjoy," he said to cheers of approval from onlookers outside the court.

The family had left Afghanistan in 1992 and lived in Pakistan, Australia and Dubai before settling in Canada in 2007. Shafia, a wealthy businessman, married Yahya because his first wife could not have children.

Shafia's first wife was living with him and his second wife. The polygamous relationship, if revealed, could have resulted in their deportation.

The prosecution painted a picture of a household controlled by a domineering Shafia, with Hamed keeping his sisters in line and doling out discipline when his father was away on frequent business trips to Dubai.

The months leading up to the deaths were not happy ones in the Shafia household, according to evidence presented at trial. Zainab, the oldest daughter, was forbidden to attend school for a year because she had a young Pakistani-Canadian boyfriend, and she fled to a shelter, terrified of her father.

The prosecution said her parents found condoms in Sahar's room as well as photos of her wearing short skirts and hugging her Christian boyfriend, a relationship she had kept secret. Geeti was skipping school, failing classes, being sent home for wearing revealing clothes and stealing, while declaring to authority figures that she wanted to be placed in foster care, according to the prosecution.

Shafia's first wife wrote in a diary that her husband beat her and "made life a torture", while his second wife called her a servant.

The prosecution presented wire taps and mobile phone records from the Shafia family in court to support their honour killing allegation. The wiretaps captured Shafia spewing vitriol about his dead daughters, calling them treacherous and whores and invoking the devil to defecate on their graves.

"There can be no betrayal, no treachery, no violation more than this," Shafia said on one recording. "Even if they hoist me up onto the gallows ... nothing is more dear to me than my honour."

Defence lawyers argued that at no point in the intercepts did the accused say they drowned the victims.

Shafia's lawyer, Peter Kemp, said after the verdicts that he believed the comments his client made on the wiretaps may have weighed more heavily on the jury's minds than the physical evidence in the case.

"He wasn't convicted for what he did," Kemp said. "He was convicted for what he said."

Is it essential to tell the suitor that she has had an ovary removed?

2012-01-28T16:07:00.005-08:00

I am a young woman aged 29. I have received a marriage proposal from a young man whose character I like and I want to marry him. But the problem is that seven years ago I had an operation to remove my right ovary because of the presence of a fatty tumour on it, which led to a case of gangrene, which is where there is blockage of the blood vessels inside the ovary, which leads to death of the tissue. Praise be to Allaah, now I enjoy good health and am able to bear children, according to the doctor who treated me, because the other ovary is working well, and I have proof from the doctor concerning that. My question is: must I tell him about this operation or not? I hope you will reply quickly.

Praise be to Allaah.

If what happened to you of having an ovary removed did not affect your ability to have children because the other ovary is working well, then you do not have to tell your suitor about that, because the definition of the kind of fault which must be disclosed is that which affects the marriage by causing an inability to provide physical pleasure or service or to bear children. But it is better to tell your suitor about it so as to prevent any problems later on if the husband were to regard not informing him about that as a kind of deception.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The correct view is that what is regarded as a fault is anything which causes the aims of marriage not to be fulfilled. Undoubtedly the aims of marriage are physical pleasure, service and bearing children. These are the most important aims. If there is anything that prevents fulfilment of these aims, then it is a fault. Based on this, if the wife discovered that the husband is infertile or he discovers that she is infertile, this is a fault. If he finds out that she is blind, this is a fault, because this undermines two aims of marriage, namely physical pleasure and service; if he finds out that she is deaf, this is a fault; similarly, if he finds out that she is mute, this is a fault. The correct view is anything that undermines the aims of marriage is regarded as a fault where the option (of annulling the marriage) is given to either the husband or the wife. End quote from al-Sharh al-Mumti’ (12/220).

See also the answer to question no. 111980 and 43496.

And Allaah knows best.

She received a marriage proposal from someone who is infertile and her family rejected him

2012-01-28T16:07:00.003-08:00

I received a marriage proposal from a man who is infertile, and the doctor told him that he needs an operation. For this reason my family rejected him. What is the Islamic view on that? Please note that he is 13 years older than me and he is of good character and religiously committed.

Praise be to Allaah.

Infertility is one of the faults that affect marriage according to the more correct of the two scholarly opinions. This has been discussed previously in the answer to question number 121828.

The suitor has to disclose it, and the woman to whom he proposes has the right to accept him or reject him. If she accepts him with this fault, she does not have the right to request an annulment later on because of not having children. If she does not know about the fault and then finds out about it after marriage, she has the right to ask for an annulment if she does not accept the fault.

Ibn Qudaamah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: One of the conditions of having the option to annul the marriage because of these faults is that one should not have had knowledge of them at the time of the marriage contract and should not have accepted them afterwards; if the person knew of them at the time of the contract or came to know of them afterwards and accepted them, then he or she does not have the option of annulling the marriage contract, and we do not know of any scholarly difference of opinion concerning that. End quote from al-Mughni, 7/142.

Having children is a blessing and is one of the aims of marriage, so a woman should not marry a man who is sterile or infertile unless she knows that it is possible for him to be treated and recover.

If your family are rejecting the suitor, then they are excused for that. Undoubtedly they are seeking your best interests and striving for your happiness.

If you think that this suitor is appropriate for you, because of his good character and religious commitment and because it is possible to treat his infertility, then you have no choice but to convince your family to accept him. If you manage to do that than praise be to Allaah; but if they insist on their opinion, then they are excused as stated above, and perhaps Allaah will send you someone who is better than this suitor.

It is well-known that marriage is not valid without a wali or guardian, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no marriage without a guardian.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (2085), al-Tirmidhi (1101) and Ibn Maajah (1881) from the hadeeth of Abu Moosa al-Asha’ri; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

And he (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who gets married without the permission of her guardian, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid, her marriage is invalid.” Narrated by Ahmad (24417), Abu Dawood (2083) and al-Tirmidhi (1102); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami, no. 2709.

We ask Allaah to guide and help you.

And Allaah knows best.

The head of the Islamic centre in their city is married to a Christian woman; has he done something for which he deserves to be dismissed from his post?

2012-01-28T16:07:00.001-08:00

The Amir at our Islamic Center is married to a Christian can he continue to hold the position as a religious leader for the community.

Praise be to Allaah.

Marriage of a Muslim man to a woman from the People of the Book -- a Jewish or Christian woman -- is permissible in the sharee’ah of Allaah, because Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Made lawful to you this day are At‑Tayyibaat [all kinds of Halaal (lawful) foods, which Allaah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables and fruits)]. The food (slaughtered cattle, eatable animals) of the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) is lawful to you and yours is lawful to them. (Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girlfriends. And whosoever disbelieves in Faith, [i.e. in the Oneness of Allaah and in all the other Articles of Faith i.e. His (Allaah’s) Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and Al‑Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work; and in the Hereafter he will be among the losers”

[al-Maa’idah 5:5].

The woman of the People of the Book whom it is permissible to marry is the one who is chaste.

See the answer to question number 2527.

Secondly:

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) commanded men to choose as wives those who are religiously committed and of good character. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) said: “Choose the one who is religiously-committed, may your hands be rubbed with dust (i.e., may you prosper).” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5090) and Muslim (1466). Hence many of these scholars are of the view that it is makrooh for a Muslim to marry a woman of the People of the Book. They have other reasons for regarding this as makrooh, including the following:

1. Their fear of marrying one who is not chaste

It was narrated that Shaqeeq ibn Salamah said: Hudhayfah married a Jewish woman, and ‘Umar wrote to him saying: Let her go. He wrote to him saying: Are you saying that she is haraam so that I should let her go? He said: I am not claiming that it is haraam; rather I am worried lest you marry the immoral ones among them. Narrated by Ibn Jareer al-Tabari in his Tafseer, 4/366; classed as saheeh by al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer in his Tafseer, 1/583

2. Their fear that the Muslims will begin to marry women of the People of the Book and the Muslim women will be left without husbands

It was narrated from ‘Aamir ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Nastaas that Talhah ibn ‘Ubayd-Allaah married the daughter of the Jewish leader and he said: ‘Umar insisted that he should divorce her. This was narrated by ‘Abd al-Razzaaq in al-Musannaf, 6/79.

Ibn Jareer al-Tabari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, commenting on what ‘Umar said to Hudhayfah and Talhah:

Rather ‘Umar objected to Talhah and Hudhayfah (may Allaah have mercy on them) marrying the Jewish and Christian women lest the people follow their example in that, and lose interest in the Muslim women, or for other similar reasons, so he commanded them to let them go. End quote.

Tafseer al-Tabari, 4/366

3. Many negative consequences that may result from such marriages, such as disputes and arguments and dangers posed to the religious commitment and beliefs of the children

We have mentioned the negative consequences of marriage to women of the People of the Book in the answer to question number 20227; please read this as it is important.

Thirdly:

The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) mentioned a principle, namely that that which is makrooh is permissible if the Muslim needs it.

See this principle and others in Sharh Manzoomat Usool al-Fiqh wa Qawaa’iduhu by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, p. 62.

Based on that, what the head of the Islamic centre has done is makrooh in principle, but we cannot state that this particular person has done something that is makrooh in his particular case, because he may have reasons for that which mean that it cannot be judged to be makrooh.

If we assume that he has done something makrooh, then he has not done something haraam; rather he has done something which the Qur’aan indicates is permissible.

Such matters do not mean that he is no longer regarded as being a man of good character, and do not mean that he must be shunned or dismissed from his post, because he has not done something haraam, and it does not affect his good character and trustworthiness. Be kind to him and be united, especially in your country, where you are in great need of being united and building ties with one another.

And Allaah knows best.

Should she tell her fiancé that she lost her virginity or should she cancel the engagement?

2012-01-28T16:06:00.003-08:00

My friend was in love with a boy when she was thirteen years old, and he was ten years older than her. She used to do everything for him, to the extent that she forgot remembrance of Allah, despite the fact that she is from a religious family. He was everything to her, and she did not pray except to ask Allah that he marry her. She didn't do anything unless it was for his sake; she even committed zina with him. But she was young and did not know what she was doing. She went to a female doctor she knows, who found that there was a small hole in her hymen. My friend began to feel remorse and to ask Allah for forgiveness and to pray, and that young man left her for another girl. After a while, after she reached university age, a pious young man proposed marriage to her, and he did not know what she had done. She went to another doctor who shocked her when she told her that it is essential to repair the hole in her hymen. After she agreed to accept his proposal, she does not know what she should do. Should she cancel her engagement to this fiancé whom she loves, or should she have the repair done, or what should she do? Please advise me, may Allah reward you

Praise be to Allaah.

This calamity is not the first and it will not be the last. The strongest temptation is the temptation of men by women and of women by men.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

The mixing of one gender with the other is the cause of fitnah. When men mix with women, it is like mixing fire and wood. End quote.

Al-Istiqaamah, 1/361

This is the fire that was lit between them, then he left her after committing immoral actions with her, and went to someone else.

It is also something that happens repeatedly: he deceives her, then he commits immoral actions with her, then he leaves her and, for marriage and starting a family, he looks for a woman whom he can trust. But, unfortunately, no one learns this lesson and understands the true nature of the deceit until it is too late, or before regret sets in when regret is to no avail?

We ask Allah to accept her repentance and that of every sinner, and we pray that she will learn from this experience the hard and bitter lesson of how Allah wants guidance and righteousness for His slaves, whereas the Shaytaan and his cohorts want to misguide them and lead them astray.

Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allaah is All‑Knower, All‑Wise.

27. Allaah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away (from the Right Path).

28. Allaah wishes to lighten (the burden) for you; and man was created weak (cannot be patient to leave sexual intercourse with woman)”

[al-Nisa’ 4:26-28].

But what has happened has happened. Now the most important thing that your friend has to do is to repent, and the greatest right that she has over you is that you should help her to repent sincerely and to regret what has passed, and to understand the effects of the Shaytaan’s trick on her, in the hope that Allah will accept her repentance and conceal her with His beautiful concealment.

With regard to her engagement, she should go ahead with it, so long as she thinks that the young man is good and righteous. She should not repair the hymen that was broken because of this immoral action, because this is deceit and cheating; but at the same time she should not expose herself to scandal. Rather she should go ahead with that as Allah wills; perhaps Allah will conceal her.

If her husband does not find out about that after marriage and Allah conceals her, then she should continue as she is.

If he finds out that the hymen had been broken, she can hint that it was broken as a result of an accident or some such; hymens are often broken as a result of such things.

See also the answers to questions no. 844, 96214 and 70273.

If that is not possible, and the husband finds out that the hymen has been broken, he may annul the marriage, if he wants to, and take back what he had given her of the mahr and costs of the marriage.

Perhaps if she tells him about what happened, he will conceal her. But the annulment of her marriage, even after a short time, may be better and more concealing for her, because after that she will be a divorced woman and when she gets married again, it will on the basis that she was previously married.

And Allah is the source of strength and the Guide to the straight path.

Who should organise the wedding feast (waleemah)?

2012-01-28T16:06:00.001-08:00

Who has to organise the wedding party and waleemah? Is it the family of the groom or the family of the bride?.

Praise be to Allaah.

The basic principle with regard to the wedding feast (waleemah) is that it should be organized by the husband, because he is the one who is enjoined to do that, as it was narrated by al-Bukhaari (5155) and Muslim (1427) that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf: “May Allah bless you. Give a waleemah even if it is with just one sheep.”

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It (the waleemah) is prescribed for the husband, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf (may Allah be pleased with him): “Give a waleemah,” and he did not tell his in-laws to do that. And because the blessing is greater for the husband than for the wife, because he is the one who sought the woman; it is very rare for the woman to seek the man. End quote from al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 12/321.

And he (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The questioner’s stating that responding to an invitation to a wedding feast is obligatory does not apply in all cases; rather that refers to the wedding feast that is offered by the husband. Accepting an invitation to this feast is obligatory. Similarly, if it is organised jointly between the husband and the woman's family, accepting the invitation to it is obligatory, because the husband is the one who is enjoined to provide the wedding feast, because the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf: “Give a wedding feast, even if it is with one sheep.” If the wedding feast is provided by the wife's family only, and the husband is going to offer another feast when his wife comes to join him, it is not obligatory to accept the invitation of the wife's family; rather accepting it is Sunnah.

End quote from Fataawa Noor ‘ala al-Darb.

From this we may note that it is permissible for the wedding feast to be organised jointly between the husband and wife, or the wife's family may organise it. Similarly, the wedding expenses may be shared as agreed between the two parties, and each of them may offer a wedding feast, as is customary in some countries. If there is some dispute as to who is obliged to provide the wedding feast, it is to be provided by the husband, as stated above. But other wedding expenses, such as having a party in a hotel and so on, should be done according to mutual agreement.

And Allah knows best.

Wife complaining of husband’s mistreatment

2012-01-23T12:52:00.001-08:00

My husband and I have been married for almost 5 years, and we have very young children. My love for my husband has greatly decreased since we got married, because of his behaviour. He has a very bad temper, which he has no control over. When something makes him angry, he hits me. It cannot be called beating, and he never hits me on the face, but he hits me hard enough to leave a mark. This has happened many times in our marriage, but it is not every day. We are aware of the three steps that Allah has told the husband to follow in such situations but, as I said, my husband has no control over his anger. This is what is causing the problem. I have borne my husband’s anger with patience up to this time, which I do sometimes out of love, but also out of fear. Because of this prolonged situation I have become afraid of him. I feel resentment towards my husband which is causing more problems because my husband does not like the way I talk to him, because I have lost patience and feel that I am being treated unfairly. He has hit me many times in front of the kids, and even when I have been holding them. The older child is starting to copy his father and act out his anger on me. What can I do to stop his behaviour (please don’t say not to make him angry), apart from more patience? What can I do with this resentment that I feel towards him? I have tried to forgive him but my heart has been hurt too many times. His behaviour and my bad feelings are tearing our marriage apart. Allah knows best if we should stay together or not. And if we stay together, what is the best way to stop this behaviour and this cycle of bad feelings?

Praise be to Allaah,

There is no doubt that the problem you have described is very sad and painful. First of all let me say that there is no alternative to turning to Allah, for He is the One Who makes a way out of every difficult situation. The following are a few points of advice:

· Your husband needs someone to advise him - look around for a suitable person to do this.
· Avoid making him angry (although you asked me not to say this, I cannot avoid giving this advice). Again, avoid making him angry as much as you can.
· Whoever sees the problems of others will see his or her own problem in perspective. There are husbands who beat their wives on the face, and injure them and break their bones; some kick their wives out of the house in the middle of the night and lock them out; others do not give their wives a penny, and even take their money and jewelry; some eat outside the house and never bring food home for their wives and children, leaving them to beg from their neighbors; others drink alcohol, take drugs, and bring prostitutes to the house. Some do not recognize Allah at all; they do not even know the direction of the qiblah. I myself have dealt with these and other cases involving the problems suffered by wives; these examples are not made up. Perhaps looking at the problems of others and putting things into perspective will offer some consolation and make you feel better.
· Think about your husband’s positive aspects - his religion or his relationship with you or his spending, or the fact that he does not hit you on the face, and so on. Perhaps this will help to reduce your negative feelings towards him.
· Remember that what you are suffering is a test, one of the trials that Allah decrees for whomever He wills in this life, to see how people will behave. So face it with patience and the hope of earning reward. The Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for everything is good for him, and this applies only to the believer. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it, and this is good for him; if something bad befalls him, he bears it with patience, and this is also good for him." (reported by Muslim, may Allah have mercy on him, in al-Saheeh, no. 2999).
· Think about the tragedy of divorce and what would happen to the family in this case. A wise woman may put up with something bad in order to avoid something even worse, because some evils are less than others.
· Write him a letter, reminding him of the Prophet’s advice concerning women, e.g., ". . . Be kind to women, for they are your prisoners and you have no rights over them other than that. If they are guilty of clear immoral misconduct, then avoid them in their beds, and beat them, but not severely. If they then obey you, do not seek means of annoying them, for you have rights over your wives and they have rights over you. Your rights over your wives are that they should not allow anyone you dislike in your bed, and they should not let anyone whom you dislike enter your house. Their rights over you are that you should treat them well with regard to clothing and food." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no. 1163; he said: this is a saheeh hasan hadith.)
· The Prophet (Peace & Blessings of Allaah be upon Him) said: "Many women have come to the family of Muhammad, complaining about their husbands. Those (husbands) are not the best among you. (Reported by Abu Dawud, no. 2146). If he becomes angry and hits you hard, wait until he calms down, then provoke his pity by saying words such as "Is this how you treat the mother of your children and the one who is closest to you?" and showing him the mark left by his blow, so that he can see with his own eyes what his hand has done. Also, remind him that oppression is haraam, and that Allah is able to deal with him. Then disappear and leave him to think things over. In most cases, if the husband has any shred of decency and real character, and religious sensitivity, he will apologize.
· Some marital problems can only be resolved with the passage of time, as the number of children increases and they grow up, and the husband grows to love them even more. This makes the wife more precious to him too, as he sees her as the one who is bringing up and protecting his children. As he also increases in maturity and in his understanding of the realities of life, he will realize the evil of what he has done and his behaviour will improve, so he will stop doing some of the things he used to do. Hoping for improvement is a good thing: people live on hope.
· Supplication (du‘aa’) is the refuge of the believer. How many times, I wonder, have you prayed to Allah to reform your husband? Persist in du‘aa’ and seek ways of making Allah respond.

I ask Allah to improve your situation and to guide you both.

She drinks wine in front of him and he is afraid that if he divorces her, she will take the children, and she is a kaafir

2012-01-23T12:51:00.001-08:00

I'm married to a christain women & I have two kids from her In Ramadan while I'm eating breaking my fast she drink wine with the food & I can't say no cause if I keep pushing her for that she might get a divorce & take the kids then it will be hard to make them Muslims. Is it haram for me in ramadan to set with her while she's drinking & her family too & I don't drink.

Praise be to Allaah.

Although marriage to a kitaabi woman – a Jewish or Christian woman – is permissible, there is a great deal of risk involved in that, the most serious of which is the danger to the religious commitment of the children and offspring, because she may try to corrupt their religious commitment, especially if she lives in a non-Muslim country.

How can you convince your children that drinking alcohol is haraam, when they see their mother drinking it?

Many scholars are of the view that if a Muslim man marries a kitaabi woman, he may stop her drinking wine and eating pork. This is the view of the majority of Shaafa’i and Hanbali fuqaha’ and it is the view of a number of Hanafis.

It says in al-Bahr al-Raa’iq (3/111), quoting from some of the Hanafis: The Muslim may forbid his dhimmi wife from drinking wine, as he may prevent his Muslim wife from eating garlic and onions if he dislikes that. This is the truth as is obvious. End quote.

It says in Mughni al-Muhtaaj (4/314): The kitaabi woman who is married is like a Muslim woman with regard to spending, division of time (in the case of plural marriage) and divorce. She should be made to do ghusl after menses, nifaas and janaabah, and she should not eat pork according to the more correct (scholarly) opinion. Both she and a Muslim wife should be forced to wash off any impurity that gets onto their bodies. End quote.

It says in al-Insaaf – a Hanbali book – (8/352): The dhimmi wife should be prevented from drinking any intoxicant to the point of intoxication, but he does not have the right to forbid her to drink amounts that do not intoxicate, according to the correct view. This was stated by Imam Ahmad. And it was narrated from him that she should not be allowed to drink it at all. It says in al-Targheeb: the same applies to her eating pork. End quote.

The Maalikis are of the view that he does not have the right to stop her drinking wine or eating pork, as it says in al-Taaj wa’l-Ikleel (5/134).

If you are not able to stop her, because of what you said about the fact that she may ask for a divorce and take the children, then you must explain to your wife that it is part of kindness and good treatment among spouses not to drink wine openly in front of you. If she insists, then you should keep away from their gatherings, as a sign of denouncing evil, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And it has already been revealed to you in the Book (this Qur’aan) that when you hear the Verses of Allaah being denied and mocked at, then sit not with them, until they engage in a talk other than that; (but if you stayed with them) certainly in that case you would be like them. Surely, Allaah will collect the hypocrites and disbelievers all together in Hell”

[al-Nisa’ 4:140]

This general principle applies to everyone who is unable to take action against an evil; he must leave the place where the evil is being committed if he is able to, otherwise he will be a partner in the sin.

You have to be patient and do everything you can to call your wife to Islam; make her love Islam by your attitude and actions. We advise you to make du’aa’ for it is the greatest of weapons. May Allaah guide her and her family at your hands.

And Allaah knows best.

Its the responsibility of every Moslem in learning Quran and tajweed and we also must teach our kids Quran and not only the Quran teaching we should let then be aware of the basic of Islam and why it was reviled you bet it was vituperated and verity teaching of holy Quran and with Quranic tajweed we read Quran we can understand better all the replies that are necessitated if we study koran from a qualified Quran tutor he will let you know verity substance of Islam and why koran was reviled for it we should gain the information of the Holy Scripture with there translation and the context of when those verses were reviled and why and that is only potential when we continue with not simply learning quran for beginners but gaining the information of Quran tafseer and one query that we all is required to ask our self that why we all are here in the world to do good acts or to do bad acts to promote correct or to promote incorrect and will we be answerable to any one after this life of not then the query remains the very same that the reasons why we are here in the world but if yes then whom we have to respond is there any Divine All these response can be found when we go deep in to the Quran education do Quran reading and the so let us unite hands to full fill our job.

Should she ask for a divorce from her husband who does not pray regularly and does not give her her rights?

2012-01-23T12:50:00.001-08:00

A young man came to propose marriage to me who is of a lower educational status than me, and he only got his high-school diploma, whereas I am at university, so I refused. His mother claimed that he has a diploma in English, then after that I found out that he does not know any English at all. She said that he is employed with a salary of 4000 riyals, and that this salary would be enough because his grandfather would give him an apartment as a gift. The marriage went ahead, but after that I found out that he owes debts to the bank which is deducted from his salary, and he gives me only 100 riyals per month. Three months ago he left his job and has not found another job. We have not moved to the apartment that his grandfather gave him even though it is now one year and four months since we got married, because he cannot spend on me. Rather we are living with his family. In addition to that he is heedless with regard to prayer and he only prays when I ask him to. He also very fat which prevents me from finding any pleasure with him. He does not pay any attention to personal hygiene and I am put off by him.

Praise be to Allaah.

Marriage is one of the signs and blessings of Allaah, in which both spouses find peace, companionship, love and compassion, as well as keeping themselves chaste and producing righteous children to populate the earth in accordance with the laws of Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect”

[al-Room 30:21]

These are the purposes for which marriage has been prescribed. If these aims are not achieved, then divorce is a means that is permitted in Islam, in order for the spouses to move onto a new marriage in which they may attain the aims and purposes of marriage.

What you have mentioned makes it permissible for you to ask for divorce. Al-Tirmidhi (1187) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Any woman who asks her husband for a divorce without a reason, the fragrance of Paradise will be forbidden to her.” This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi.

The phrase “without a reason” means without any hardship that makes her ask for a separation.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The wife should behave in a reasonable manner and listen to and obey her husband in that which is right and proper, and she should not ask for a divorce with no reason. If there is a reason, there is nothing wrong with that, such as if he is miserly and does not give her her rights, or he commits a great deal of sin, such as drinking and the like, or if he stays up at night a great deal and neglects her right to intimacy, and other such reasons. These are valid reasons (for divorce). End quote from Fataawa al-Talaaq, p. 264.

Although the reasons that you mention make it permissible for you to ask for divorce, you should think long and hard about this matter before doing it, and pay attention to a number of things:

1 – Hope that he will improve, especially if you move to your own apartment. If you encourage him to pray regularly, perhaps Allaah will grant him a good provision and he will try to please you and give up the things that are upsetting you. Then you would have the reward for being patient and treating him well, and for helping him to change himself. So check yourself and think about your husband. If you hope that he can change, then be patient and seek reward with Allaah, and remember that patience brings relief and success. How many women have put up with their husbands and their bad treatment, then Allaah has changed them and they have become among the best of husbands, who did not forget their wives’ patience and kindness. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Repel (the evil) with one which is better (i.e. Allaah orders the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly) then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend.

35. But none is granted it (the above quality) except those who are patient — and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion (of happiness in the Hereafter, i.e., Paradise and of a high moral character) in this world”

[Fussilat 41:34, 35]

The woman can play a great role in reforming her husband and calling him to goodness and success, if she uses wisdom, kindness and good methods. First of all she should focus on religious matters, before physical and material issues. If his religious commitment improves, he will be helped and guided in all his affairs, by Allaah’s leave and grace.

2 – You should think of what your own situation will be if divorce happens. This is something to which no attention is paid at times of anger or when one is put off by one's husband. Rather it needs deep thought. The wise woman may accept a hard life with a husband in whom there is both good and bad, and she may prefer that to being divorced, suffering from loneliness and anxiety and looking for a husband at a time when many women are single and it is difficult for virgins to get married, let alone divorced women.

This varies from one woman to another. A divorced woman may still be sought for her religious commitment, beauty, wealth or lineage.

3 – You should turn to Allaah a great deal and ask Him to guide you and ward off evil from you. Do not make a decision until you have prayed to your Lord for guidance (istikhaarah).

For information on the istikhaarah prayer, please see question no. 11981 and 2217.

We ask Allaah to help you to do that which is good and right and will lead to success.

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on her going out of the house without her husband’s permission and travelling without a mahram

2012-01-23T12:49:00.003-08:00

I want to ask to what degree the husband’s duties towards his wife’s family extend. My question is because I am suffering a serious problem with my husband, because he treated my mother very badly when she came to visit us (because of an argument that took place between my mother-in-law and my mother); in the end my husband virtually threw my mother out. As a result of that, I had to leave the house with my mother, against my husband’s wishes as he wanted me to stay with him. Please note that I used to live in another country and I traveled with my mother to our country. My husband treats me very well, but I got angry when he treated her in this manner. He regretted it the next day, but she will not forgive him. Is what I did correct, or did I fail to obey my husband as enjoined by Allaah, may He be exalted and glorified?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The husband should uphold ties with his wife’s family and treat them well. This is part of treating his wife kindly, because doing that makes her happy and earns him respect in her eyes, and increases the love and affection between them.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“and live with them honourably”

[al-Nisa’ 4:19]

Ibn Katheer said:

i.e., speak kindly to them, treat them well and pay attention to your deeds and your appearance as much as you can; as you would like her to do for you, do the same for her. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And they (women) have rights (over their husbands as regards living expenses) similar (to those of their husbands) over them (as regards obedience and respect) to what is reasonable”

[al-Baqarah 2:228]

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best of you is the one who is best towards his family; and I am the best of you towards my family.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Saheehah, 285. end quote.

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 1/477

Secondly:

With regard to your husband throwing your mother out of his house, he has apologized for that, and if a person apologizes, the apology should be accepted and his mistake should be overlooked.

The married woman should remember that obedience to her husband takes precedence over obedience to her parents. A man should not give precedence to anyone over his mother with regard to kind treatment, and a woman should not give precedence to anyone over her husband with regard to obedience. That is because of the greatness of the rights that he has over her. Part of the greatness of men’s rights over women is that sharee’ah almost commanded women to prostrate to men, were it not for the fact that it is not permissible for anyone to prostrate to any human being.

The husband has no right to prevent his wife’s family from visiting their daughter, unless he fears that they may cause some mischief to her or encourage her to be willfully defiant towards him (nushooz). In that case, he may prevent visits.

Thirdly:

You made two mistakes and went against sharee’ah by doing them. The first mistake was going out of the house without your husband’s permission, and the second was travelling without a mahram.

Going out of the house without the husband’s permission is a haraam action; Allaah has even forbidden women who are revocably divorced (first or second talaaq) from going out of their houses, so how about women who are not in that position? Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet! When you divorce women, divorce them at their ‘Iddah (prescribed periods) and count (accurately) their ‘Iddah (periods). And fear Allaah your Lord (O Muslims). And turn them not out of their (husband’s) homes nor shall they (themselves) leave, except in case they are guilty of some open illegal sexual intercourse. And those are the set limits of Allaah. And whosoever transgresses the set limits of Allaah, then indeed he has wronged himself”

[al-Talaaq 65:1]

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said:

Zayd ibn Thaabit said: The husband is the master (sayyid) according to the Book of Allaah, and he recited the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“They both found her lord [sayyid] (i.e. her husband) at the door”

[Yoosuf 12:25]

‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said: “Marriage is slavery, so be careful with regard to whom you give your daughter for enslavement.” In al-Tirmidhi and elsewhere it is narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “I urge you to treat women well, for they are prisoners with you.”

So a woman is like a slave or prisoner of her husband, and she cannot go out of his house except with his permission, whether her father, her mother or anyone else tells her to do that, according to the consensus of the imams. End quote.

Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 3/148

Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali said:

It is haraam for a woman to go out of her husband’s house without his permission, except in cases of necessity, or shar’i obligations. End quote.

Al-Adaab al-Shar’iyyah, 3/375

With regard to a woman travelling without a mahram, this is haraam. This is stated in saheeh ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Al-Nawawi said:

Everything that is called travelling, it is forbidden for a woman to do without her husband or a mahram, whether it is three days, two days or one day, or bareed (a distance equivalent to approximately twenty kilometers) or anything else, because of the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas, according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No woman should travel without a mahram.” This includes everything that is called travel. And Allaah knows best.

End quote from Sharh Muslim, 9/103

Please see also the answer to question no. 10680 for a description of the rights of both husband and wife.

And Allaah knows best.

Can he force his family to move far away from him so that they will not live in a kaafir land?

2012-01-23T12:49:00.001-08:00

I am married to muslim lady from one of the Muslim's land. I want her and my children to live only in the Muslin coutry. Presently I live and work in the USA which I was born. I have about 3 years to work then I plan to live and study in the Muslim land of my wife family insha'Allah. I would like to know if I make her return and order her to stay in that Muslim land (not to return to visit me here) and rise our children there only while I stay here but vist them (about eight weeks a year)is this action haraam. Do I have to let her stay with me here knowly that Dar Kufr is very bad. This position that I have taking is she to submit? Then what's the evidence from the Qur'aan and the sunnah that can be applied parphaps she will understand better.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

It is not permissible to take lightly the matter of living in a kaafir land, because that has bad effects on the Muslim’s religious commitment and beliefs (‘aqeedah). Hence the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned us against settling among the kuffaar, and he said: “I disavow myself of any Muslim who settles among the mushrikeen.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2645; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

There are some situations in which a Muslim is allowed to stay in a kaafir land, but that is subject to specific conditions, such as the condition that his religious commitment should not be harmed by staying among them. For more information please see questions no. 13363 and 27211.

Secondly:

You have to compare the benefits of keeping your family close to you, where you can took after them and serve them and bring them up, and protect yourself from falling into temptation, and the costs of keeping them in that kaafir land, which may affect their religious commitment and attitude, and the costs of your staying there alone, far away from them. You should do this in consultation with your wife, and you should both be keen to fear Allaah, may He be exalted, and to choose that which will please Him. If you think it is better to send them away from that country, and send them back to their Muslim country, then there is nothing wrong with your doing so, and your wife is obliged to obey you.

The evidence that the wife is obliged to obey her husband – so long as it does not involve sin – is narrated in several texts, such as the report narrated by Ahmad (18233) and al-Haakim from al-Husayn ibn Muhsin, who said that a paternal aunt of his came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to ask about some need. When he had finished talking to her, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to her: “Do you have a husband?” She said: “Yes.” He said: “How are you with him?” She said: “I do not fall short in giving him his rights, except that which I am not able to do.” He said: “Look at how you are with him, for he is your paradise and your hell.” The isnaad of this hadeeth was classed as jayyid by al-Mundhiri in al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, and it was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, 1933.

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It is not permissible for a woman to fast when her husband is present except with his permission.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5195.

Al-Albaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said, commenting on this hadeeth: If a woman is obliged to obey her husband with regard to his satisfying his desire, then it is more apt that she is obliged to obey him in matters that are more important than that, such as raising their children and paying attention to the well-being of the family, and other rights and duties.” End quote from Adaab al-Zafaaf, p. 282. see also question no. 43123.

Thirdly:

The husband may travel and be absent from his family for the purpose of study, work and other legitimate purposes, for no longer than six months. If it will be for longer than that, then he must ask his wife’s permission. The basis for that is that ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) asked women: “How long can a woman be away from her husband?” They said: “Two months, but in the third month patience decreases, and in the fourth month patience disappears.” He wrote to the commanders of the troops telling them not to keep a man away from his wife for more than four months.

According to another report: The time for people to be away on campaigns is six months: they travel for a month, then they stay there for four months, then travelling back takes another month.

See al-Mughni, 7/232, 416.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: There is nothing wrong with a man travelling away from his wife, so long as she is in a secure place, and if he allows him to stay away for more than six months, there is no sin on him. But if she demands her rights, and asks him to come to her, then he should not be away from her for more than six months, unless there is an excuse such as sickness for which he is being treated and the like, because cases of necessity come under special rules. Whatever the case, the wife has the right to decide. If she lets him go and she is in a secure place, then there is no sin on him, even if the husband is away a great deal. End quote.

Fataawa al-‘Ulama’ fi ‘Ushrat al-Nisa’, p. 106

And Allaah knows best.

NHS reform bill – timeline

2012-01-18T14:40:00.003-08:00

Demonstrators lobby British Medical Association outside a special meeting discussing the health and social care bill. Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

19 January 2011

The health and social care bill 2011 introduced in the House of Commons. Biggest shakeup in NHS in 60 years despite coalition agreement promise to "stop the top-down reorganisations of the NHS that have got in the way of patient care".

31 January

The Lancet journal runs an editorial entitled The End of our National Health Service, as the bill receives its second reading, a vote to approve the general principles passing by 321-235, a majority of 86.

23 February

First signs of cuts: more than 50,000 jobs start to disappear from the NHS as trusts struggle to make £20bn efficiency savings.

28 February

Lib Dem peer Shirley Williams says she cannot support an "untried and disruptive reorganisation".

31 February

David Bennett, newly appointed head of Monitor, the NHS economic regulator says health service will be subjected to Tesco-style competition.

13 March

Lib Dem grassroots rebellion at party spring conference fuelled by fear of privatisation and an undue emphasis on competition.

16 March

Cameron bested by Ed Miliband over NHS reform, signs that PM worried.

31 March

Bill gets through committee stage of Commons.

6 April 2011

David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Andrew Lansley launch listening exercise on NHS reform – to hear public's view – on a visit to Frimley Park Hospital, Surrey.

13 April

RCN conference: 96% of 497 nursing delegates in Liverpool take the unprecedented decision to give Andrew Lansley a vote of no confidence.

13 April

Cameron announces NHS Future Forum – a group of clinicians, patient representatives voluntary sector representatives and others from the health field, including frontline staff, that will oversee the NHS listening exercise.

21 April 2011

38 Degrees' petition against the reforms passes 250,000 signatures

13 May

Andrew Lansley's NHS reforms are unworkable, says Steve Field, the GP appointed to head the NHS listening exercise

16 May

2011 David Cameron delivers a speech at Ealing Hospital restating the case for change in the NHS.

13 June

The NHS Future Forum launches report and recommendations to the government at a press conference – sets out U-turn to "dilute" plans for competition in the NHS.

16 June

This NHS debacle sets us back a generation, says former Blairite health secretary Alan Milburn, who warns Labour not to "retreat to the comfort zone of public sector, producer-interest protectionism".

21 June

Bill re-enters Commons to debate "changes to the changes" wrought by Cameron's listening exercise

19 July

Lansley announces the government will open up more than £1bn of NHS services to competition from private firms and charities

20 July

British Medical Association votes to "start a public campaign to call for the withdrawal of the health and social care bill"

19 August

The number of people waiting for NHS care rises sharply, with hundreds waiting more than a year to be offered treatment

1 September

BMA leader warns hospitals will be forced to treat wealthy foreigners to raise cash rather than treat poor patients as they are hit by cuts to the NHS budget and the government's reforms

7 September

The bill passes the Commons and receives its third reading, by 316 votes to 251. The bill leaves Commons for the House of Lords

19 September

Ministers' favourite social enterprise Central Surrey Health loses out on £90m NHS bid to Virgin-owned health company – sending shivers through the sector.

1 October

The coalition's reorganisation of the NHS risks diluting the government's "constitutional responsibilities" to the health service, an influential Lords committee warns.

12 October

Bill approved at second reading in the House of Lords by 354-220. An amendment moved by Lord Owen to commit the most controversial clauses of the Bill to a select committee was defeated by 330-262

13 October

Lansley forced to provide subsidies to keep essential services going in the health service, as the National Audit Office warns that at least 20 NHS trusts are not "financially or clinically viable in their current form".

19 October

New chair of super-quango that will run the NHS, University College London's provost Malcolm Grant, tells MPs that the coalition's health bill is "completely unintelligible".

26 October

Lansley says NHS managers who fail to get hospitals ready to become foundation trusts by 2014 will be "removed and replaced".

3 November

Ministers forced to "pause" a key part of its NHS bill to stave off an embarrassing rebellion from key Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords – a move that ensures peers will now debate the controversial legislation until Christmas.

10 November

The government signs off on a decade-long contract to let the first hospital to pass to private company Circle in a deal worth £1bn.

25 November

Assessments by NHS show the government's shakeup of the NHS has led to a decline in public confidence, "may destabilise existing services" and has raised risks to patient safety to disturbing levels.

13 December

A "leadership vacuum" caused by the government's plans for the health service puts lives at risks and is forcing hospitals into dire financial straits in London – the largest single region of the NHS – health thinktank the King's Fund warns.

20 December

The coalition government's health bill will dilute accountability to parliament and the courts and should be amended to address serious constitutional issues that remain, a Lords committee warns.

21 December

Lords committee stage ends.

Woman raped and murdered two weeks before baby due

2012-01-18T14:40:00.001-08:00

The parents of Nikitta Grender, Paul Brunnock and Marcia Grender, at court for the trial of Carl Whant, who is accused of murdering their pregnant daughter. Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA

A pregnant woman was raped, murdered and her unborn daughter killed in a brutal knife attack in her flat, a jury has heard.

Nikitta Grender, who was due to give birth in two weeks, was sexually assaulted before being stabbed in the neck and stomach by Carl Whant, the court was told. The knife penetrated the body of her child, whom she had already named Kelsey-May.

Newport crown court in south Wales heard that Whant, 27, a nightclub bouncer, then set fire to the bed Grender was lying on in an attempt to cover up his crime.

Whant, who took notes as the prosecution outlined its case, denies rape, murder, child destruction and arson.

Gregg Taylor, prosecuting, said Grender, 19, and her boyfriend Ryan Mayes, 18, had been looking forward to the birth of their child. They had bought a cot and pram and were well-prepared.

Taylor said on the evening of Grender's death in February last year Mayes and Whant, who are second cousins, had been out together visiting pubs, clubs and a house party.

The court was told that during their night out the pair took cocaine and drank alcohol. At about 5am, Whant said he was going to his grandmother's house "just around the corner" to get cigarettes. Whant allegedly told Mayes to stay put.

He returned an hour later, after 6am, without cigarettes. The prosecution says that during this hour he murdered Grender.

Firefighters were called to the flat at about 7.50am. A postmortem examination showed no signs of smoke inhalation, indicating that Grender had been murdered before the fire was started.

Taylor said the heat damage to Grender's body had been so severe the pathologist initially had not spotted the two stab wounds.

The prosecutor said the following day Whant was seen with scratch-like marks on his arm, and told his girlfriend they had come from a girl who had tried to stop him having a fight with another man.

"These marks are a result of Nikitta trying to fend off Whant," Taylor said.He said Mason had looked up to Whant. "Whant told police that Ryan believed he was the closest thing to a father he had and they would often go out together."

The prosecutor told the jury: "Nikitta was alone at home in the flat in the early hours where she should have been safe for the rest of the night. Someone entered that flat, someone raped her, someone murdered her and in the process destroyed her unborn child. She was stabbed right through the neck, cutting her carotid artery. She was also stabbed in her stomach and the knife penetrated the unborn baby."

The court heard that the bed Grender was found lying on had been deliberately set on fire.

Taylor said: "This was an attempt to cover up these crimes, making it appear Nikitta Grender had died in a tragic house fire. The man who did that was Carl Whant."

Forensic tests showed that Whant, of Bettws, Newport, had sex with Grender, the jury heard.

Taylor said Grender had disliked Whant and ruled out the possibility that she had consented to sex with him. "It was common knowledge that Nikitta disliked Carl Whant – he was a self-confessed cocaine user and she thought he was a bad influence on Ryan."

Firefighters were called to the teenage couple's flat in Broadmead Park, Newport, after a 999 call from a neighbour.

Taylor said: "The fire was started deliberately, there is no doubt about that. It was to mask the murder."

The court heard that Grender was 5ft 3in (1.6 metres) tall and weighed just 49kg (7st 10lb), even though she was heavily pregnant.

The hearing continues.

Ali Dizaei accuser convicted of benefits fraud, jury told

2012-01-18T14:39:00.001-08:00

Ali Dizaei denies misconduct in public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Photograph: Anthony Devlin/PA

A man who says he was framed by a police chief is a benefits fraudster who falsely claimed £27,000, a jury has heard.

Waad al-Baghdadi was released last Friday from prison after serving a sentence for fraud which saw him use the name of his dead father to claim benefits.

Baghdadi says that in July 2008 the Metropolitan police commander Ali Dizaei falsely arrested him in a row over money. Dizaei denies the charges.

Baghdadi told Southwark crown court on Wednesday that he regretted the benefit fraud, but objected to being asked about it in detail by Dizaei's barrister, Stephen Riordan QC. The jury heard Baghdadi was jailed for the fraud in September 2011, and received an eight-month sentence. The court heard he was released from prison last Friday. The jury have been told this is a retrial and heard in the first trial Baghdadi gave false personal details.

He gave the wrong details about his place of birth and age, including to the trial judge. Baghdadi said he did not realise it could make a difference: "I apologise if that was a lie. I did not mean to lie."

The judge in this trial, Mr Justice Saunders, often intervened to press Baghdadi to answer questions. He also told Baghdadi that he had the right not to incriminate himself as "to tell deliberate lies on oath is a criminal offence". Baghdadi accused the defence of "character assassination" and making a big deal out of the false personal details he had given in the first trial.

The jury heard that Baghdadi continued to receive carer's allowance for his father after his death, and switched the payments to an account which he used: "I'm really not proud of this. I'm ashamed of it," Baghdadi said. He claimed to have had respect for Dizaei but said the police chief had changed into a "devil".

Baghdadi and the Crown say Dizaei falsely framed Baghdadi for assaulting him, because Baghdadi demanded £600 for a website built for the police chief.

Dizaei denies misconduct in public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The trial continues.

Goldman Sachs enters £8bn 'parallel pay universe'

2012-01-18T14:38:00.001-08:00

Goldman Sachs chief Lloyd Blankfein blamed global economic turmoil for a drop in revenues. Photograph: Jim Young/REUTERS

Bankers at Goldman Sachs have been accused of living in a parallel universe after the Wall Street firm announced it had set aside £8bn to pay its staff in 2011 – an average of £238,000 each.

Against a highly charged political backdrop in which the government is pledging to tackle top pay, the potential payments sparked anger among unions and were used as fresh ammunition by campaigners calling for a tax on financial transactions.

A spokesman for the Robin Hood Tax campaign said: "When even in a bad year each Goldman employee pockets an average of $367,000 – nearly 10 times the average UK salary – it is proof that banks live in a parallel universe to the rest of us."

The TUC's general secretary, Brendan Barber, said: "Goldman Sachs are brazenly defying their own sliding profits by dishing out pay and top bonuses worth £240,000 a head. This latest example of excessive rewards for mediocrity should give the government the green light to get tough on top pay.

"Ministers should start by putting workers on remuneration committees and making pay and bonuses exceeding £260,000 liable for corporation tax."

Bankers at Goldman will learn in the coming days about the size their individual bonuses, which the firm insisted were lower than last year.

The potential scale of the pay deals was revealed as David Cameron prepared to join the growing debate on moral capitalism with a major speech in which he will argue that the Conservative agenda of markets, transparency and mutuality is well-placed to restore and reform a modern form of popular capitalism.

The speech, which will have echoes of his call for radical capitalism with a conscience at Davos in 2009, is intended to show that his politics and his party's history mean it is better equipped to address capitalism's amorality than socialism.

Among the ideas being set out by Cameron are ways to support co-operatives. In what is being described as "co-ops in a box", he will set out measures to make it easier legally to create co-operatives.

Cameron will say Conservatives instinctively abhor monopolies and protectionism, and regard transparency as the best antidote to bad company behaviour.

The prime minister is not expected to reveal an array of new policies, but is setting out his views before announcements next Tuesday by the business secretary, Vince Cable, on executive pay and proposals to address City short-termism.

Cable received a boost on Wednesday for his proposal to give shareholders more powers to throw out executive pay deals from City fund manager Fidelity, which endorsed his idea for a binding vote on remuneration reports.

The government's potential intervention on high pay comes as the US banks, all big employers in the City, are reporting their results for 2011, when the eurozone crisis dampened activity and hit profits.

Lloyd Blankfein, chairman and chief executive of Goldman Sachs, blamed "global macroeconomic concerns" for a 26% fall in a full-year revenues to $28.8bn – down 26% – and a near halving in earnings to $4.4bn.

Goldman used a greater proportion of its revenue (42%) to pay its 33,000 staff in 2011, even after cutting 7% of the workforce – 2,400 roles – during the year.

The total payout per staff member of $367,000 – a figure that includes salaries, bonuses, equity awards and benefits – was down 15% on the $430,000 paid the previous year. The actual amount set side to pay staff was down 21% at $12.2bn.

David Viniar, Goldman's finance director, maintained that "discretionary" bonuses were down "considerably more than revenues" during the year.

The company recently disclosed more about its pay deals in the UK as a result of rules set out by the Financial Services Authority requiring firms to publish pay for "code staff" – those taking or managing risk. Regulatory filings for Goldman Sachs Group Holdings (UK) show that it had 95 code staff in 2010 who had an average pay deal of $6.2m (£4m) in 2010 – and had a further $595m awarded in a one-off mid-year award of shares in 2010.

In his speech, Cameron will also argue that the triumph of the City under Labour was due to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown's determination to create a form of equality through tax credits funded by the excess profits of the City. He will argue for what he sees as a deeper form of social mobility and fairness created through a better educated and skilled workforce.

A key test for the speech will be whether he repeats his Davos attack on a "winner takes all culture" that ends up with the poorest half of the world's population owning less than 1% of the world's wealth.

'Boris Island' estuary airport idea gets off the ground

2012-01-18T14:37:00.003-08:00

Foster and Partners' artist impression of the Thames Hub, a four-runway airport. Photograph: Foster And Partners/PA

The idea of a new international airport for London has taken a first step towards reality with news that the government plans to hold a formal consultation on proposals for a Thames estuary hub.

According to reports, David Cameron will announce a consultation by March – when the transport secretary, Justine Greening, will publish the government's broader aviation strategy.

The airport, dubbed "Boris Island" after its most prominent supporter, the mayor of London, Boris Johnson, would be an international hub that could open up new routes to the far east and have capacity for connecting flights. At present, the British aviation industry says the nation is losing out to rivals airports such as Schiphol in Amsterdam and Paris Charles de Gaulle.

The government has ruled out a third runway at Heathrow, as has Labour since leaving power.

Colin Matthews, the chief executive of airports operator BAA, said he was "pleased there was an acknowledgement that there was a need" for more airport capacity, but it would take decades to construct a whole new airport.

"The recognition today is that it matters to the UK economy, to jobs and to growth. There's no reason why any option should be ruled out."

Greening has also ruled out further runways at Gatwick and Stansted in answers to parliamentary questions.

Johnson told the BBC: "You can't go on expecting Britain to compete with France and Germany when we simply can't supply the flights to growth destinations."

Heathrow, he said, was "fundamentally in the wrong place". He said listening to the "Heathrow recidivists" who argue that other options for airport expansion take too long would only lead to paralysis.

In his autumn statement, the chancellor, George Osborne, indicated the government would consider all options for airport expansion, which he sees as an opportunity for economic regeneration.

The architect Norman Foster has drawn up plans for an estuary airport. However, planes would have to contend with the danger from millions of birds nesting there – a hazard to aviation that has also brought out opposition from the RSPB and environmental groups.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "No decisions have been taken. As the chancellor made clear in his autumn statement, we will explore all the options for maintaining the UK's aviation hub status, with the exception of a third runway at Heathrow. The government will consult on a sustainable framework for UK aviation this spring at which time we will set out our long term plans for the sector."

Occupy London - City wins high court eviction bid - Wednesday 18 January

2012-01-18T14:37:00.001-08:00

Supporters of Occupy London outside the Royal Courts of Justice today. Photograph: Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

10.58am: Occupy London activists camped outside St Paul's Cathedral are due to find out today whether they will be evicted from the site they have occupied since October.

Mr Justice Lindblom is due to hand down judgment in the high court at 2pm, following a five-day hearing before Christmas on the legal status of the camp in the lee of St Paul's in the City of London.

Caroline Davies will be down at the court and reporting and tweeting from there, David Shariatmadari will be at St Paul's talking to the protesters, and I'll be live blogging proceedings from here.

Legal action was brought by the City of London Corporation, which claimed that the Occupy London Stock Exchange (LSX) camp – a protest against the banking system and the government's response to the financial crisis – was attracting vulnerable people, and there were concerns about sanitation, safety and vandalism. The Corporation says there is an "overwhelming" case for the court to grant orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London because of the impact of the camp on the area around the cathedral.

Their lawyers argued they were not seeking to prevent lawful and peaceful protest or lawful assembly in the general location - but the right to protest enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights did not justify a semi-permanent campsite on the public highway - particularly in a location like St Paul's.

John Cooper QC, for Occupy LSX, claimed the camp's impact had been exaggerated. Lawyers for the protesters said that the case raised an issue of "extreme public importance" and that freedom of expression was a liberty which ought to be guarded by the courts. The camp did not prevent worship at St Paul's and any impact it did have on on those visiting, walking through or working in the vicinity was not solely detrimental, they argued.

They said that politicians, members of the public and commentators had expressed support for the camp's presence and the sentiments behind it, at a time when there was a consensus that the issues it raised needed addressing.

St Paul's did not join the legal action, but Nicholas Cottam, the cathedral registrar, described acts of "desecration" and falling visitor numbers due to the "unpleasantness of the camp and presence of the media".

If the camp is evicted, an online campaign has called for supporters to form a ring of prayer in solidarity while others are calling for non-violent resistance, Caroline reports.

Join us here for live coverage as it happens.

A protester at Occupy Seattle wears a Guy Fawkes mask. Photograph: Ted S Warren/AP

12.03pm: It's worth watching this Channel 4 News feature on a visit to the Occupy London camp by Alan Moore, whose 1982 comic V for Vendetta inspired the Guy Fawkes mask worn by many Occupy protesters around the world.

Face to face with two protesters wearing the mask as the bells of St Paul's toll behind them, he tells them: "It's a bit surprising when some of your characters who you thought you'd made up suddenly seem to have escaped into ordinary reality."

And he tells Channel 4 News:

I'm amazed, I'm very impressed and I'm rather touched. The people here are amazing. I think this is probably the best organised and most forward-thinking protest that I've ever had experience of.

And he says there is "a strong strand of anarchy that runs through nearly all of the important characters in British culture".

Occupy London have put up some more footage of his visit on their Facebook page.

12.07pm: Caroline DeLaney of law firm Kingsley Napley gives her view of the importance of today's hearing:

The removal of protesters has become costly, time-consuming and complex. The law is currently a patchwork of criminal and civil remedies which are applied inconsistently and reform of this area of law is long overdue.
Today's judgment will need to have taken account of the human right to protest balanced against the public right to use the highway. It is highly likely the losing party will appeal. Indeed if other protester situations are anything to go by we can expect this dispute to drag on for some time to come.

12.18pm: On their website, Occupy London invite their supporters to gather outside the Royal Courts of Justice from 1.30pm today. "Bring your banners, bring your gusto," they say.

They plan to hold a press conference outside the court straight after the judgment.

12.57pm: No matter which way today's judgment goes, it is unlikely to be the end of the story. Occupy London say they are certain to appeal if they lose, while a spokesman for the Corporation of London said the local authority would wait to see what the judge actually says before deciding - because what he says in his judgment would be important when making that decision.

1.32pm: On the New Statesman website, Laurie Penny has posted an interesting article about the gap between the goals and behaviour of "the more media-savvy organisers of Occupy London" and "the waifs and strays and nuts and eccentrics, the wide-eyed young men with theories about how computers can calculate the perfect democracy, the straggle-haired women with bags full of paintbrushes and dirt in the creases of their cheeks" who have joined their camps outside St Paul's, in Finsbury Square, and in their "Bank of Ideas" just north of the City.

In London, some of the cleaner activists I meet, including those who have been involved in organising the camps from the start, quietly express the opinion that eviction might now be the best thing that could happen to the occupations …
The main bone of contention is not drugs, but direction. Some activists are unhappy that Occupy London has chosen to work so closely with the Church on whose ground they have been camped for three months; others believe that movement has been taken over by external lobby groups with their own agendas. Still others are concerned that the general assemblies are choosing to focus ... on "the legal thing". The camp has spent much of its remaining energy fighting running battles to keep the sites open, and occupiers in the legal working groups hope to set a precedent in English case law to protect protesters' rights to free expression under article 10 of the European convention on human rights.

1.37pm: Occupy London supporters are gathering outside the high court ahead of the ruling on whether they will be evicted from the lee of St Paul's, my colleague Caroline Davies reports.

Giles Fraser, the former canon chancellor of St Paul's who resigned over the church's dispute with the protesters, is here in "solidarity", he told Caroline.

One supporter said: "Whatever the ruling, it's not the end. This is a fluid movement."

They have tied a huge banner reading "Occupied Justice" to the railings of the high court, Caroline reports.

1.38pm: Here's a picture of that banner, courtesy of James Albury on Twitter.

1.39pm: Jamie Kelsey-Fry posts another picture of the banner outside the Royal Courts of Justice.

1.48pm: My colleague Caroline Davies continues to report from the Royal Courts of Justice:

UK unemployment rises to 2.68m

2012-01-18T14:36:00.001-08:00

UK unemployment rises to 2.68m

Business
Unemployment and employment statistics

UK unemployment rises to 2.68m

• Nearly 1m working days lost to November's strike
• Unemployment rate rises to 8.4%
• Claimant count hits 1.6 million
• Youth unemployment rises to 1.04m

Heather Stewart
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 18 January 2012 10.44 GMT
Article history

At prime minister's questions, David Cameron says his government takes full responsibility for the economy, including the latest rise in unemployment Link to this video

November's pensions strike by public sector unions wiped out 988,000 working days, according to official figures – the most time lost to industrial action in a single month since Margaret Thatcher was in power.

The Office for National Statistics, which published its assessment of the impact of the strike on the labour market alongside the latest unemployment figures, said the last time a strike had such an impact was in 1989.

The data also shows that pay growth in the public sector, excluding the bailed-out banks, is running at just 1.4% a year, the slowest rate since comparable records began in 2001.

Unemployment across the economy rose by 118,000 in the three months to November, to 2.68 million, the ONS said, in the latest sign that the UK slowed sharply in the autumn.

The unemployment rate rose to 8.4%, the ONS said, its highest since 1995, and up 0.3% over the quarter.

There was some evidence that the labour market may be stabilising: the rise in unemployment was less dramatic than the 128,000 increase in the three months to October, while the narrower claimant count measure showed a smaller than expected increase of 1,200 in December to 1.6 million.

However, the ONS said a total of 1.3 million people are now working part-time because they are unable to find a full-time role: the highest number since records began in 1992.

The number of young people out of work is also continuing to rise, hitting 1.04 million in the three months to November, up 52,000 on the three months to October.

The ONS also confirmed that the painful squeeze on households' income has continued, with average pay across the economy just 1.9% higher than a year ago – less than half the rate of inflation.

The government's claim that private sector jobs growth will help to compensate for cuts in the public sector was undermined by news that 67,000 jobs were lost in the public sector in the three months to September – the latest period for which the ONS has figures – while the private sector created just 5,000 posts.

Chris Williamson, the chief economist at information provider Markit, said weak pay growth would continue to depress demand in the coming months. "The increase in unemployment, plus job security worries and low pay growth for those in work, means consumer spending may remain very subdued this year, despite lower inflation alleviating the squeeze on real incomes that caused so much distress to households in 2011."

Official figures next Wednesday will reveal whether the economy expanded in the final three months of 2011, with many City economists forecasting a negative number, which could mark the start of a new recession.

EU report calls for action over Israeli settlement growth

2012-01-18T14:35:00.001-08:00

A Palestinian shepherd near the Israeli settlement of Har Homa. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

The European Union should consider legislation to prevent or discourage companies and organisations in member states doing business which supports Israeli settlements, according to a confidential report drawn up by EU diplomats in Jerusalem.

The recommendation is contained in the EU Heads of Mission Report on East Jerusalem, which assesses the impact of settlement growth and other factors on the prospects for Jerusalem as the future capital of two states, Israel and Palestine.It describes the situation as "deteriorating" and warns that "the systematic increase in settlement activity... increasingly undermines the two-state solution".

The 2011 report, leaked to the Guardian, was sent to Brussels on Monday following approval by EU diplomats last Friday. It builds on earlier annual reports, which were also highly critical of Israeli policies in East Jerusalem.

It calls on the European commission to consider legislation "to prevent/discourage financial transactions in support of settlement activity".

Legislation should prohibit trade and business with settlements based on their illegality under international law, rather than a politically-driven boycott, said one EU diplomatic source.

It is the latest in a spate of recent European reports and statements, including:

• Nick Clegg, the UK deputy prime minister, describing settlement construction as "an act of deliberate vandalism" that was doing "immense damage" to the prospects for peace. "The continued existence of illegal settlements risks making facts on the ground such that a two-state solution becomes unviable," he said.

• A French parliamentary report accusing Israel of "apartheid" policies in its allocation of water resources between Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the West Bank.

• An internal EU report strongly criticising Israeli policies in Area C, the 62% of the West Bank under full Israeli control, saying they were jeopardising prospects for a two-state solution.

The EU report on Jerusalem points to a "surge in settlement planning" in 2011, especially at the city's southern flank, which includes "the first major new Israeli settlement in Jerusalem" for 15 years, at Givat Hamatos.

It also cited the planned expansion of Gilo, a settlement on the edge of Jerusalem close to Bethlehem, which "attracted significant international concern and condemnation" as the decision was taken within days of a call by the Middle East Quartet for Israel and the Palestinians to refrain from provocative actions.

The report highlights a longstanding plan for another new settlement for about 14,500 settlers on an open area to the east of Jerusalem known as E1. Infrastructure work was halted in 2004 after US objections, but the report says there are strong indications – including the impending forced removal of 2,300 Bedouin Arabs from the area – that the plan will be implemented.

"Successive Israeli governments have pursued a policy of transferring Jewish population into the oPt [occupied Palestinian territory] in violation of the fourth Geneva convention and international humanitarian law," the report says. The EU says East Jerusalem is occupied territory and was illegally annexed.

It says Israel is "actively perpetuating its annexation by systematically undermining the Palestinian presence in the city" by imposing planning regulations in Palestinian neighbourhoods, house demolitions, evictions, archaeological activity in the "historic basin" around the Old City, the revoking of Palestinian residency rights, separate bypass roads for Israelis and Palestinians and the construction of the separation barrier.

The report says Israel uses different methods to gain control of Palestinian land and property, including the recent designation of privately-owned land for a new national park at Mount Scopus. The plan would halt any expansion of Palestinian neighbourhoods.

The difficulties of obtaining permission to build, or obstructions to expansion, force Palestinian families to choose between leaving Jerusalem or building illegally and risking demolition orders, it says.

"If current trends continue, the prospect of Jerusalem as the future capital of two states becomes increasingly unlikely and unworkable, undermining the two-state solution."

The report details inequities in public funding for education and transport between Jewish and Palestinian areas of Jerusalem. Fewer than half of Palestinian children in East Jerusalem are in municipal schools because of a severe shortage of classrooms. Palestinians comprise 37% of the city's population, but only 10% of the municipal transport budget is spent in Palestinian areas. Poverty in Palestinian neighbourhoods is far higher than in other areas of the city.

Yigal Palmor, spokesman for the Israeli foreign ministry, dismissed the report as "an unpleasant background noise".

He said: "In a desperate attempt to get attention, they are suggesting an all-out boycott, which is unfeasible for legal, technical and political reasons. There is a reason why these reports find their way to the nearest drawer."

Iran oil embargo set to be agreed by EU ambassadors

2012-01-18T14:34:00.001-08:00

An oil tanker leaving the dock at Kharg island, Iran. Oil provides 80% of Iran's foreign currency revenue. Photograph: Roger Wood/Corbis

A meeting of European ambassadors in Brussels on Thursday is expected to decide on an EU oil embargo on Iran to be imposed later in the year, diplomats have said.

Talks have been under way over the past few weeks aimed at narrowing differences between European capitals over the details of the ban on Iranian oil, including the grace period before the sanctions take effect and the timing of a review of the decision.

Majority opinion within the EU has coalesced around a proposal from the Danish government, acting EU president, for the embargo to be put into effect on 1 July, and for the decision to be reviewed beforehand in light of conditions in the oil market and developments in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme. No new oil purchase contracts could be signed with Iran in the intervening period.

Greece, which is heavily dependent on Iranian oil, has asked for a longer grace period, to allow it to arrange alternative suppliers and if necessary reconfigure its refineries to accommodate a new source and type of crude oil.

The sanctions package under discussion would also freeze the European assets of Iran's central bank, with exceptions for the financing of existing trade contracts and other exemptions that would be decided case by case. Ambassadors to the EU are due to meet on Thursday to finalise an agreement, although diplomats warned that if Greece or any other country continued to object, the ultimate decision could be left until a council of foreign ministers on Monday.

A decision to impose an EU embargo, which would come into effect at the same time as US punitive measures aimed at the global financing of Iran's oil exports, would radically increase pressure on Tehran, which has already been subject to four waves of UN sanctions for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment. However, UN sanctions target individuals and organisations directly involved in the Iranian nuclear or missile programmes or its revolutionary guards. An embargo on oil, which provides 80% of Iran's foreign currency revenue, would affect the whole population.

The Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the oil sanctions had "nothing to do with a desire to strengthen the nuclear nonproliferation". He added: "It's aimed at stifling the Iranian economy and the population in an apparent hope to provoke discontent," and would derail hopes for resuming negotiations with Iran on the nuclear programme.

Russia believes that "all conceivable sanctions already have been applied" and that new penalties could derail hopes for continuing six-way negotiations on the Iranian nuclear programme, provoking Iranian intransigence, Lavrov said.

The Iranian foreign minister, Ali Akbar Salehi, claimed on Wednesday that Tehran was in contact with the international community with the intention of arranging a new round of talks aimed at averting an escalation in the confrontation over the Iranian nuclear programme, a year after the collapse of the last round of discussions in Istanbul.

"Negotiations are going on about venue and date. We would like to have these negotiations," Salehi told reporters during a visit to Turkey. "Most probably – I am not sure yet – the venue will be Istanbul. The day is not yet settled, but it will be soon."

However, European diplomats said they were not aware of any such contacts. New talks would have to be preceded by a letter from Tehran to Catherine Ashton, the EU's foreign policy chief who also serves as a representative of a group of six major powers handling nuclear talks with Iran, and her office said no such letter has arrived.

Iran has also invited a team of inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to Tehran on 28 January for discussions in the wake of an IAEA report in November which cited "credible" evidence that Iran had conducted experimental work on nuclear weapons design. The report said it was less clear whether that work had continued after 2003. The report triggered both the new US and EU sanctions.

The IAEA has not confirmed the visit, pending a preliminary agreement with Tehran on the agenda.

Rafael Grossi, an Argentinian diplomat who is IAEA assistant director general, said earlier this month that the talks would have to include what the agency terms the "possible military dimensions" (PMDs) of the Iranian programme, which Tehran insists is purely for civilian purposes.

Grossi, who is the top adviser to the IAEA director general, Yukiya Amano, told the Buenos Aires Herald said that "on January 28, we will try to draft a road map to see how we tackle specific issues, including those related to the PMDs". He said that if Tehran refused to discuss the evidence of weaponisation, the IAEA board of governors would take the issue to the UN security council, possibly leading to sanctions.

"It would be very serious for Iran as, up until now, China and Russia have blocked sanctions on the grounds that Tehran is co-operating with the Agency. If the IAEA tells the world that Iran is not co-operating, Russia and China will be left without justification for their support," Grossi said.

Chinese dissident Zhu Yufu charged with subversion

2012-01-18T14:31:00.001-08:00

News
World news
China

Chinese dissident Zhu Yufu charged with subversion

Zhu, 60, faces charges over online poem in which he urged people to gather to defend their freedoms

Reuters in Beijing
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 17 January 2012 07.30 GMT
Article history

A Beijing park is decorated for the lunar new year. Zhu's poem calls on Chinese people to 'take to the square to make a choice'. Photograph: Adrian Bradshaw/EPA

Chinese authorities have indicted veteran dissident Zhu Yufu on subversion charges for writing a poem urging people to gather to defend their freedoms, his lawyer said. He is the latest activist to face such charges.

Zhu, 60, from the eastern city of Hangzhou, was arrested last April for "inciting subversion of state power". No trial date has been set, his lawyer, Li Dunyong, said on Tuesday.

"The main reason for the indictment was a poem he had written calling for people to gather. He had written the poem around the same time there was chaos [in the Middle East]," Li said. "He believes in freedom of expression."

Li collected the indictment on Monday from a court in Hangzhou and met Zhu, whom he described as being in a good condition.

Calls to the Hangzhou intermediate court were unanswered on Tuesday.

The authorities disclosed their decision to prosecute Zhu nearly a year after Zhu had written the poem, titled It's time.

A verse reads: "It's time, Chinese people!/the square belongs to everyone/the feet are yours/it's time to use your feet and take to the square to make a choice." Zhu's lawyer said the poem had been published online.

Li said, however, that Zhu had nothing to do with the online calls for 'Jasmine revolution' rallies inspired by uprisings in the Middle East.

Police rounded up dozens of dissidents in response to the calls, which began on an overseas Chinese website that is blocked to most people in mainland China by censorship walls. The attempted rallies were tiny and the demonstrators were quickly outnumbered by hundreds of police and security guards.

Li said he will defend Zhu on the basis of freedom of expression but believes Zhu's prospects for victory look bleak.

"You can't be optimistic about anything in China," he said. "In this country, he'll be punished harshly."

China's Communist party is preparing for a leadership handover late this year, when its determination to fend off political challenges to its rule is likely to intensify.

Zhu's indictment comes after a court in Guiyang in south-west China sentenced another veteran dissident, Chen Xi, to 10 years in jail for subversion, one of the heaviest sentences given for political charges since Nobel prize winner Liu Xiaobo was jailed two years ago.

Another dissident, Chen Wei from Sichuan province in south-west China, was jailed in December for nine years on similar charges of "inciting subversion".

Like both dissidents, Zhu has been jailed before for his pro-democracy activism. He was jailed in 1999 for his involvement in the China Democratic party, a group that challenged one-party rule. He was released in 2006, only to be jailed again in 2007 for two years, according to the Chinese Human Rights Defenders.

Another prominent activist, artist Ai Weiwei, whose 81-day detention last year sparked an international outcry, said he was interrogated for five hours on Sunday for throwing stones and making a rude gesture in front of surveillance cameras outside his home.

Police told Ai he had to be questioned because he was suspected of "damaging public property", Ai said.

Ai said the stones did not hit the 10 surveillance cameras outside his house and he didn't think he would face charges.

"They said to me: 'This is a warning because you have to behave,'" he said.

"I said, 'I'll behave, I take your warning seriously. But I'm human, I have to show my attitude. It's just a gesture. You're so powerful, how can I destroy you?'"

China to expand real-name registration of microbloggers

2012-01-18T14:30:00.001-08:00

Beijing microbloggers were given three months to register their real identities. Photograph: Jason Lee/Reuters

China will expand real-name registration for microblog users, a senior propaganda official has said. Authorities have grown increasingly concerned about the speed with which information and allegations can spread on the Twitter-like services, which have more than 300m registered users in China.

Last month, the Beijing municipal government said users would have three months to register their real identities or face the consequences.

"Currently, this type of registration is being tested in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. We will extend it to other areas once the pilot programmes prove successful," said Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office.

"We will focus on newly registering users and then extend it to existing microbloggers."

He added: "Microblogging is a new medium that can spread information rapidly and have a big influence. It covers a wide population and can mobilise people."

He said the growth of services had been "explosive" and that microblogs could help officials to understand the social situation and public opinion, spread positive opinion and improve their information services. Authorities were committed to becoming more open and had launched their own accounts.

But he warned that while authorities welcomed the benefits of new media, "We also need to control the spread of rumours undermining social stability; harmful, for example pornographic, information; and illegal conduct for commercial purposes."

A spate of recent official commentaries have attacked online "rumours", with one editorial describing them as "worse than cocaine".

Beijing-based internet analyst Bill Bishop said the move was no surprise.

"They tried real-name registration with cell phones – that was harder because there were so many retailers. They tried it with online games, but that was more about protecting kids," he said.

"This is a whole different level. It is a much more serious thing and it is not that difficult for the government to enforce it; there are only two providers that matter."

Although sensitive content is removed from microblogs, and words or phrases can be blacklisted so people cannot post them, the popularity and ease of using the services means censors have often struggled to keep up with users posting reports of protests or attacking officials.

Many users fear that real-name registration will make it even easier for officials to track down and punish people posting sensitive content, such as attacks on officials, while others are concerned about the security risks it poses.

South Korea was the first country to adopt real-name registration, but recent media reports have suggested it now plans to phase the system out after hackers exposed the personal details of millions of internet users.

In an article for the state-run china.org.cn website last month, Gong Wen, a visiting scholar at the School of Journalism and Communication at Tsinghua University, warned: "Real-name registration seems to be the easiest way for government to regulate Weibo, but it may endanger netizens' personal safety. Therefore, more should be done for both government and internet companies to strengthen cyber security before rushing to enforce real-name registration. We're still not ready."

Nigerian terrorist 'mastermind' escapes police custody

2012-01-18T14:29:00.001-08:00

Private security has increased to combat the violent rise of Nigeria's Islamist terror group Boko Haram. Photograph: Pius Utomi Ekpei/AFP/Getty Images

The man thought to have masterminded an attack on a Nigerian church that killed 37 people on Christmas Day has escaped from police custody, still wearing handcuffs, less than a day after his arrest.

Kabir Sokoto, an influential businessman and alleged gun-runner, was a huge catch for authorities investigating the church bombing just outside the capital, Abuja. A radical Islamist group Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sokoto was detained after unexpectedly turning up at the Abuja home of the governor of Borno, a northern state plagued by Boko Haram attacks. The following day, Sokoto fled while being escorted by five armed policemen to search his nearby flat.

"In the course of undertaking this important procedure, the policemen on escort with the suspect were attacked by the suspected sect gang members and in the process the suspect freed," police official Olusola Amore said. An officer was injured in the shootout during which the police vehicle was surrounded by a large crowd, a security official said.

Amore said the regional police commissioner had been suspended for "serious negligence" over the escape, and may face prosecution.

Nigeria's president, Goodluck Jonathan, confirmed this month that Boko Haram has secret backers among government and security officials. The movement's violent campaign to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law on Africa's most populous nation claimed more than 500 lives last year. Almost a quarter of the national budget, around $6bn (£3.9bn), was allocated to the security forces to check Boko Haram's growing threat.

There is little faith that the national security apparatus can handle the task.

"We have said it before and we will continue to say it, that there are people in our security agencies that have other loyalties than they have to Nigeria," said Ayo Oritsejafor, head of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

Others prefered to hope that the police were merely incompetent. "Maybe the police just didn't have the brain to chain his legs," said Musa, a newspaper vendor in Lagos. "They are still very useless people but that is better than that they purposely released [him]."

The embarrassment comes two days after suspected Boko Haram gunmen killed five people in the group's homeland states of Borno and Yobe. Three of the victims were from neighbouring Chad, whose borders with Nigeria remain closed since the president declared a state of emergency in several northern states.

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing on the UN headquarters in Abuja which killed 24 people in August.

Nigeria reels after oil subsidy row turns into country's biggest ever protest

2012-01-18T14:28:00.001-08:00

Lagos market traders. The government recently backed down from a plan to end Nigeria’s long-standing fuel subsidy after widespread protests. Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Bisola Edun's electricity generator sits outside her small Lagos fashion shop and factory, noisily churning out heat and fumes for five hours every day. It is just one of an estimated 160m such machines across Nigeria – roughly one per person in Africa's top oil economy.

Guzzling $1,200 (£780) worth of diesel each month, Edun's generator is an unavoidable expense in a country that produces only 40 watts of power for each inhabitant – enough to run a single vacuum cleaner among 25 citizens.

"It seems normal to us, but looking at the amount I spend ever year on the generator alone, I just think Jesus Lord! If I could spend that amount on stock I'd be in a very good place," she said.

As Edun prepared to re-open her shop for the first time since Nigeria was convulsed by the biggest protests in its history, she hoped things would change for the better, but admitted: "From where I stand now, I'm not terribly optimistic."

When the government abruptly announced on 1 January an end to subsidies that kept fuel prices around $0.40 (25p) a litre, it hoped to fix the country's many basic infrastructure problems. Crumbling power plants would be revamped, potholed roads smoothed and the education system fixed if the "cancer" – in the form of the $6bn fuel subsidy – was removed, said the president, Goodluck Jonathan.

Economists and multinational organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund, have long said such painful shock-therapy economics are necessary if Nigeria is to haul itself into the middle-income bracket. But the overnight doubling of prices at the petrol pump unleashed years of festering anger and the ensuing eight days of strikes brought much of the country to a halt.

The protests coincided with a fresh campaign of attacks by the militant Islamic group Boko Haram in the north of the country, and after a week in which the country appeared to be teetering on the brink of disaster, the government was forced to back down, agreeing once again to use its vast oil wealth to cap prices. The move was enough to make trade unions call off a plan to stop the country's oil production, but analysts say the root causes underlying the outrage remain.

Despite pumping 2m barrels of oil daily, decades of top-level mismanagement have left four national refineries barely functional, forcing Nigeria to import refined fuel that is then sold at around half the market rate to citizens. A bloated civil service and entrenched patronage system mean there is no way of controlling where the money flows. Meanwhile, a bill aimed at streamlining the labyrinthine oil sector has languished for decades.

"People cannot believe that the government will not just use the money to line their own pockets," said financial consultant Hamar Kamza. "They removed the diesel subsidy a few years back and nothing improved. Before that, they removed the kerosene subsidies and nothing changed at all."

"The same problems will keep coming back until the patronage system is broken," he added.

Petrol sales resumed on Tuesday, but many Nigerians believe the strikes could resurface. At a filling station in the choked commercial capital, Lagos, retired secretary Muyiwa gestured at scuffles between motorists who paid bribes to jump the queue and black marketeers filling plastic bottles to resell the fuel. "All this is because of corruption. If there was light, water, all those basic things, you wouldn't see people behaving like this. But nothing works in Nigeria so we are forced to manage anyhow we can."

A bulging middle class with access to the internet swelled the protests through an Occupy Nigeria movement based on similar ones in Europe and the US, but many citizens were forced to cheer from the sidelines.

Ibitoye watched events unfold on television in a cramped shack. Transport fares for a bus to attend the rallies were out of the question in a neighbourhood where communal boreholes provide water and tiny generators are only used sparingly to recharge mobile phones.

"When we see [the protesters on] television, we say 'amen!'" she said in faltering English. Her husband sent her to Lagos from their remote northern home state of Borno after the recent Boko Haram attacks left more than 60 dead.

"My husband was going to join me here after Christmas but he can't anymore because of the fuel increase. We are just praying," Ibitoye said.

Confidence in the government's ability to tackle the Islamists was further undermined when the main suspect in the bombings escaped police custody the day after his arrest.

Boko Haram, which is fighting to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law across a nation evenly split between Muslims and Christians, is only the most high-profile of several militant groups. For years government troops have also faced a low-level insurgency in the southern Niger delta. Analysts say local residents are lured into rebel groups amid scarce job opportunities, despite the 2m barrels of oil pumped daily from its swampy creeks.

To a large majority of Nigerians mired in the same poverty, members of both movements are regarded as little more than opportunists funded by politicians tapping into local grievances.

Still, both the militancy and the cynicism with which it is regarded are symptomatic of a failure to deal with economic ills that keep 70% of Nigerians in poverty.

"Boko Haram isn't al-Qaida or anything like that," said the former US ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell. "But the Jonathan government is weakened, not least because the trade unions have shown they have the ability to shut down the Nigerian economy. They are more likely to be more militant in future and the fact that the government has shown itself to be weak may or may not have an effect on how Boko Haram and militants in the Niger Delta react.

Hungary PM Viktor Orban faces EU backlash over new policies

2012-01-18T14:25:00.001-08:00

The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, delivers a speech at the European parliament in Strasbourg. Photograph: Patrick Seeger/EPA

Hungary's rightwing leader, Viktor Orban, has come under strong attack for his "national revolution" policies widely seen as a campaign to entrench his power and suppress opposition.

The Hungarian prime minister took the unusual step of travelling to Strasbourg to defend the new constitution he has rushed through, arguing before the European parliament that he was leading "a very exciting process of renewal" in Hungary.

Seeking to calm the storm of protest at policies many see as a dismantling of Hungarian democracy, Orban robustly defended his government while beating a tactical retreat and pledging to examine the complaints.

On Tuesday, the EU executive launched three suits against Hungary, arguing that Orban's actions and policies were in breach of European law. The European commission cited specific concerns about dilution of the Hungarian central bank's independence, influence on the country's judiciary by forcing judges in office before the Orban government took power to retire early, and data protection laws that critics say are a snooping charter for the government.

The commission chief, José Manuel Barroso, went further on Wednesday, telling the chamber that Orban had spent the past year ignoring Brussels' complaints about the new constitution and that the issue now went beyond technical legalisms. "There are concerns about the quality of democracy in Hungary," Barroso said.

A raft of international authorities from the US state department to the Organsiation for Security and Co-operation in Europe have voiced concern about Hungary's direction under Orban in recent weeks. Budapest has been given a month to respond to the commission's complaints before Brussels could resort to the European court of justice.

Separately, Neelie Kroes, the European commissioner for the digital agenda, wrote to Orban on Wednesday protesting at his perceived campaign to cow the media. Over the past 18 months, since winning a two-thirds majority in parliament, Orban has rushed through hundreds of new laws and established a new constitution, while overseeing an economy on the brink of implosion.

The Hungarians are desperate to avert financial collapse by negotiating loans from the International Monetary Fund and the EU, but have been told there will be no talks until the central bank issue is resolved and other economic policies are changed.

Leading MEPs on Wednesday accused the commission of being too mild on Orban and called for more fundamental action. The leaders of the liberals and the Greens in the parliament, Guy Verhofstadt and Dany Cohn-Bendit, called for an investigation into whether Orban's constitution violated the EU's Lisbon treaty, an offence that could see Hungary stripped of its voting rights in the EU.

Cohn-Bendit accused Orban of striving to be Europe's equivalent of Hugo Chávez or Fidel Castro. Orban, who has a reputation for fiery, robust performances, was on his best behaviour, arguing that he had saved his country from the brink of collapse while also promising to take corrective action to fix the problems highlighted by Brussels.

"In 18 months we've done an incredible job," said Orban. "But the problems can easily be remedied."

Costa Concordia captain tells judge how he left stricken cruise ship

2012-01-18T14:24:00.001-08:00

Police divers close to the wrecked Costa Concordia cruise ship off the coast of Giglio island, Italy. Photograph: Massimo Percossi/EPA

The cruise liner captain accused of abandoning ship after he struck rocks off the Tuscan coast last Friday has reportedly claimed he could not lead the evacuation because he slipped and tripped into a lifeboat while helping passengers leave the stricken vessel.

Captain Francesco Schettino said it was an accident that he left the Costa Concordia, according to Italian press reports.

"The passengers were pouring on to the decks, taking the lifeboats by assault," he was quoted as telling a judge during a hearing to determine whether he should be held in custody on charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship.

"I was trying to get people to get into the boats in an orderly fashion. Suddenly, since the ship was at a 60-70 degree angle, I tripped and I ended up in one of the boats. That's how I found myself in the lifeboat," Schettino said.

The death toll among the 4,200 passengers and crew stands at 11, with 21 people still unaccounted for. Eight bodies have been retrieved from the grounded vessel, while three drowned trying to reach the shore. One of the bodies found on the vessel was identified on Wednesday as Sandor Feher, 38, a Hungarian violinist who worked on board the ship and was last seen helping to put crying children into life jackets before returning to his cabin to pack his violin.

Italian officials said a German woman who was mistakenly listed among the missing had been located alive in Germany.

Schettino, who was handed command of the newly launched, 114,500-tonne Costa Concordia in 2006, admitted responsibility for crashing into rocks close to the island of Giglio which tore a hole in the Costa Concordia.

"I don't know why it happened. I was a victim of my instincts," he said. He confirmed he sailed close to the island to salute a retired captain, Mario Palombo. He said he was not afraid of a drugs test. "I don't do drugs and I had not drunk," he said. By grounding the vessel close to the shore after it struck rock, he claims he saved the lives of many passengers.

A report released on Wednesday by the judge, Valeria Montesarchio, revealed Schettino was sailing at more than 15 knots when he struck rock and left the vessel while 300 people were still on board. After his "gravely imprudent" behaviour, Schettino remained "completely inert" on rocks as others scrambled to help the evacuation, the report stated.

The judge interviewed Roberto Bosio, a cruise ship captain who was aboard by chance and has been hailed a hero in Italy after he reportedly stayed on board to take charge of the evacuation.

The judge's decision to free Schettino from custody and place him under house arrest is to be subject to an appeal by prosecutor Francesco Verusio, who said Schettino "doesn't appear unhappy about what he caused" and could flee.

Verusio doubted Schettino's story about falling into the lifeboat. "Even if he fell in the lifeboat, he could have got back on the boat," he said.

Support for Schettino came from his parish priest, Father Gennaro Starita, who said the captain was being "killed" by a "media circus".

On Giglio, divers searching for passengers on the half-submerged ship were urgently pulled off the vessel on Wednesday after sensors revealed the ship had shifted about 1.5 metres, following a smaller shift on Monday which prompted fears the vessel may move from the rocks on which is now lodged and tumble into 70 metre depths.

Navy divers had been planning to blow three holes in the hull with explosive charges after five holes blown on Tuesday allowed access to a lower deck where they found five bodies.

As the hope of finding passengers alive fades, Italy's environment minister Corrado Clini said two weeks would be needed to empty the ship's 15 fuel tanks of 2,280 tonnes of fuel to avoid the possibility of a leak.

The tiny port on Giglio has this week become a thriving hub for 600 rescue workers and journalists, prompting about 700 winter residents to reopen shops and hotels closed until the summer.

Relatives of missing passengers visited the port on Wednesday to meet officials and appeal for information.

Posters appeared on the walls around the port asking for news of Giuseppe Girolamo, 30, an Italian musician who was hired to play in a rock band on the Costa Concordia in December.

Girolamo was reportedly seen boarding a lifeboat on Friday before leaping back on board the cruise ship to help other passengers disembark.

Big Brother Brazil contestant questioned over alleged rape

2012-01-18T14:23:00.001-08:00

Daniel Echaniz is facing allegations that he raped fellow contestant Monique Amin after the opening party of the latest Big Brother Brazil series

It was intended as a raucous, beer-soaked celebration of the start of the latest series of one of Brazil's most popular TV programmes.

Fuelled by alcohol and accompanied by live music from one of Rio de Janeiro's top samba schools, this was the opening party for the 12th season of Big Brother Brazil, the Endemol-produced reality show.

But police in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday confirmed they were investigating a suspected rape that allegedly took place in Rio's Big Brother House after the party last Saturday.

According to reports in Rio's O Dia newspaper, a team of police officers went to the TV studio where the programme is filmed to question the alleged suspect, Daniel Echaniz, a 31-year-old model, and victim, 23-year-old Monique Amin.

A seven-minute video of the alleged rape – shot by the Brazilian broadcaster TV Globo using a night vision camera – has subsequently been posted on YouTube, although the channel has taken steps to remove it, claiming copyright violation.

"We already have the video and we will analyse the images," police chief Antônio Ricardo said. "The fact is serious and needs to be investigated."

The alleged rape of Amin, a student from Porto Alegre in southern Brazil, triggered outrage on social media and among women's rights activists and celebrities.

On Monday, Brazil's minister for women's policies, Iriny Lopes, asked Rio's public prosecutor to accompany the case.

But speaking on the programme on Sunday, Amin claimed she could not remember the incident. "We kissed, I remember one kiss, he said there were two. We touched each other and really this is all I remember," she said.

"Sex?" she added. "No. Only if he was a real scumbag and did it while I was sleeping."

On Sunday Echaniz was expelled from the programme by Globo executives. In a statement, the show's host, Pedro Bial, said: "Big Brother has examined Daniel's behaviour without jumping the gun and with the utmost care. We have analysed the images which show an infraction of the programme's rules.

"The programme's directors believe that the contestant's behaviour on the night of the party was seriously inadequate."

In an interview with the Brazilian media, Big Brother's director, José Bonifácio Brasil de Oliveira, denied there had been a rape but admitted Echaniz had "overstepped the mark".

That did little to dampen calls for a police investigation.

Speaking to Brazil's Veja news magazine, Geórgia Bello, a legal representative of the Commission for the Defence of Women's Rights at Rio's state parliament, said: "The girl was visibly inebriated … and in a vulnerable state. Of course this is rape."

"From his movements in the images, you can see that his hips are touching the young lady. She was not awake and this may characterise rape," Bello said.

On Tuesday morning Echaniz used his Twitter account to defend himself. "People, If something happened this is my problem and no one else's. FULL STOP."

Later that day Echaniz – who has just 575 followers — revisited the subject.

"Mum I am calm," he wrote. "Justice will be done. You don't need to get upset. I love you a lot."

TV Globo did not immediately respond to requests for a comment. On the programme's official website, the controversy was relegated to a footnote about Echaniz's premature expulsion.

Iran confirms death sentence for 'porn site' web programmer

2012-01-18T14:22:00.001-08:00

The White House blames Hamid Karzai for holding up progress towards peace talks

Saeed Malekpour says his interrogators flogged his head and neck, and threatened his family. Photograph: Guardian

Iran's supreme court has upheld the death sentence for a web programmer who faces imminent execution after being found guilty of developing and promoting porn websites.

Saeed Malekpour was picked up by plainclothes officers in October 2008 and taken to Evin prison in Tehran, where he spent a year in solitary confinement without access to lawyers and without charge.

A year after his arrest, the 35-year-old appeared in a state television programme confessing to a series of crimes in connection with a porn website. On the basis of his TV confessions, he was convicted of designing and moderating adult materials online by a court in Tehran, which handed down death penalty.

Malekpour later retracted his confessions in a letter sent from prison, in which he said they had been made under duress.

According to Malekpour's family, he is a permanent resident of Canada and is a programmer who wrote photo-uploading software that was used by a porn website without his knowledge.

His sister, Maryam Malekpour, said the supreme court had confirmed the death sentence despite many discrepancies in the case. "Saeed's lawyers were told that his death sentence will be issued this week," she said in an interview with the Iranian website Roozonline.

After an international campaign and new expert evidence, the supreme court suspended Malekpour's death sentence in June 2011 and ordered a judicial review.

Speaking to the Guardian, Maryam Nayeb Yazdi, a human rights activist based in Toronto who has followed Malekpour's case closely, said: "Saeed is in imminent danger of execution. He has never been provided with a fair trial at any point during this horrific and twisted ordeal.

"There are various discrepancies in Saeed's case file that were supposed to be reviewed and investigated by the revolutionary court, but the judge ignored the discrepancies and reissued the death sentence anyway.

"Saeed is being used as a scapegoat in a string of political games led by the revolutionary guards."

In his letter, Malekpour said large proportions of his confessions had been "extracted under pressure, physical and psychological torture" and in the face of threats to him and his family.

"Once, in October 2008, the interrogators stripped me while I was blindfolded and threatened to rape me with a bottle of water," he wrote. "While I remained blindfolded and handcuffed, several individuals armed with cables, batons, and their fists struck and punched me. At times, they would flog my head and neck.

"Such mistreatment was aimed at forcing me to write what the interrogators were dictating, and to compel me to play a role in front of the camera based on their scenarios."

Drewery Dyke, of Amnesty International, said: "The death sentence recently upheld in the case of Saeed Malekpour extends the long, cold reach of execution in Iran.

"He is alleged to have created 'pornographic' internet sites and [is accused of] 'insulting the sanctity of Islam', for which he was charged with 'spreading corruption on earth', a vaguely worded charge which attracted the death penalty in Iran.

"The use of vaguely worded charges is not new in Iran, but the allegation that these were carried out on the internet is. It is an unwelcome addition to the catalogue of ways in which Iran finds it can execute its own citizens.

"In advance of March's parliamentary elections, when you would expect the right to exercise one's freedom of expression to increase, this case exemplifies 'innovative' ways as to how Iran is setting itself against access to online information."

Iran has faced international criticism for escalating its use of the capital punishment in recent years. In December, Amnesty warned against "a killing spree of staggering proportions" in the Islamic republic, and said Iran had executed at least 600 people between the beginning of 2011 and the end of November.

Costa Concordia captain claims he tripped and fell into a lifeboat

2012-01-18T14:18:00.003-08:00

Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, is escorted to prison by police officers at Grosseto after being questioned by magistrates. Photograph: Staff/Reuters

The cruise liner captain accused of abandoning ship after he struck rocks off the Tuscan coast last Friday has reportedly claimed he was unable to lead the evacuation because he slipped and tripped into a lifeboat while helping passengers leave the stricken vessel.

During a three-hour hearing on Tuesday, captain Francesco Schettino said it was an accident that he left the Costa Concordia, according to La Repubblica.

"The passengers were pouring on to the decks, taking the lifeboats by assault," the newspaper quoted him as telling a judge during a hearing to determine whether he should be held in custody on charges of manslaughter and abandoning ship.

"I didn't even have a life jacket because I had given it to one of the passengers. I was trying to get people to get into the boats in an orderly fashion. Suddenly, since the ship was at a 60-70° angle, I tripped and I ended up in one of the boats. That's how I found myself in the lifeboat," said Schettino.

"Suspended there, I was unable to lower the boat into the sea, because the space was blocked by other boats in the water."

The captain did however admit responsibility for crashing the ship into rocks which tore a hole in the Costa Concordia, forcing him to ground the vessel.

"I made a mistake on the approach," he said.

"I was navigating by sight because I knew the depths well and I had done this manoeuvre three or four times. But this time I ordered the turn too late and I ended up in water that was too shallow. I don't know why it happened. I was a victim of my instincts."

Schettino confirmed he sailed close to the island of Giglio to salute a retired captain, Mario Palombo, and was on the phone to Palombo at the time.

Schettino said he was not afraid of a drugs test: "I don't do drugs and I had not drunk." By grounding the vessel close to the shore after it struck rock he believes he saved the lives of many passengers.

On Wednesday, a Dutch-owned salvage vessel arrived in Giglio port ready to go into action once divers resume their search for passengers on board. The brother of an Indian waiter who worked on the cruise ship and who was still missing arrived on Giglio on Wednesday to search for him.