Live the high life at lower cost

View of the village on the coast of Amalfi. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied

Inside Amalfi on the Italian Riviera. Picture: Readers Escape Source: Supplied

THE PURE magic of Italy's normally exclusive and extravagant Amalfi coast will now leave you with change in your pocket, writes Mike Smithson.

I'm sitting at a roof-top restaurant high above the turquoise water of the Mediterranean, as dusk brings out the twinkling lights from surrounding towns. It's a nightly occurrence for visitors on Italy's spectacular Amalfi coast and the current weakness of the euro means this once extravagant holiday lifestyle is within reach of more people.

The ancient coastal town of Praiano is perched at the foot of surrounding steep hills covered with chestnut forests. It's on the winding road between Positano and Amalfi, but it doesn't suffer the same tourist hustle and bustle as those more famous towns.

There are few flashy hotels here but plenty of comfortable villas that offer tourists an authentic Mediterranean atmosphere without the hype of other destinations. Most cafes and restaurants are family-run and boast similarly wonderful views. Without this, they'd

O'Neill not jealous of City spending

Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill will battle with Manchester City counterpart Roberto Mancini insisting he is not jealous of the Italian's spending power.

The 59-year-old Irishman will welcome Mancini to the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day hoping to put a further dent in City's Barclays Premier League title ambitions following their 0-0 Boxing Day draw at West Brom.

O'Neill, who had a brief - and largely unsuccessful, by his standards - spell as a player at Maine Road, will attempt to prepare his injury-hit side for a backlash from a club whose squad is packed with expensively-acquired, top international players.

However, he has no problem with the cash-rich pretenders to Manchester United's crown flexing their financial muscles.

He said: "It's just part of the game. If you drop back to

Aging Brains Match Youth in Some Mental Tasks

Image: Flickr/gavinzac

Since physical abilities decline as people age, many people think the elderly are also less able to perform mental jumping jacks as they age. New research indicates this might not be true with all brain-powered tasks: In some ways the elderly are fit to compete with their younger counterparts.

Both young and old brains take longer to reach decisions in some settings, the researchers say, because they make the conscious choice to choose accuracy over speed.

"Many people think that it is just natural for older people's brains to slow down as they age, but we're finding that isn't always true," study researcher Roger Ratcliff, of

Chile wants to pool young voters: registry automatic but voting voluntary

Chileans queuing on voting day

Chile’s Electoral Service predicts the change will see 4.7 million new voters added to its electoral registry in time for the 2012 municipal election next October, a change sure to affect both local and national politics alike. Nearly 75% of Chile’s new voters will be under the age of 30, reported the Associated Press.

“The system of automatic registration allows a historic growth for the electoral roll, covering, for the first time in our history, all citizens who are eligible to vote,” Secretary

Argentine Media bill: “a dictatorship couldn’t have done it better”

The Brazilian O Estado de Sao Paulo spared no words to criticize the law

The newspaper was referring to “anti-terrorism” legislation recently passed by the government of Cristina Fernandez intimidating the press and limiting access to newsprint.

“The Argentine government is making the exercise of freedom of the press extremely difficult with acts of intimidation which make honour to a dictatorial regime, a dictatorship couldn’t make it better” said O Estado de Sao Paulo.

Last week the Argentine congress

“Falkland Islands don’t want to join Argentina”

The bellicose attempts by Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to challenge the Island’s sovereignty, and to engage in efforts to disrupt shipping links to the Islands, are without justification. British Prime Minister David Cameron is right to reject such challenges, and to reiterate the UK firm commitment to the Islands’ prosperity and security.
 

Ms. Fernandez de Kirchner may gain support at home for exploiting feelings among some Argentines that they have a rightful claim to the Islands, known there as Las Malvinas. Argentina has successfully pressured members in the Mercosur trading bloc, including Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, to

Suicide bomber strikes Afghan funeral, killing 19

A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday just after a funeral in northern Afghanistan, killing 19 people, including a member of the national parliament, the Interior Ministry said.

The attack came as mourners were leaving at the end of the funeral of a village elder in the town of Talaqan in northern Takhar province, a statement said, killing 19 and wounding 40. Among the dead was parliament member Abdul Mutaleb Baik.

Suicide attacks are rare in Takhar province, which is located 250 kilometres northeast of Kabul and is considered one the nation's calmer regions.

Sayed Ikramuddin Masomi, another lawmaker from

Family Gold Mining Poisons Children in Nigeria

Image: USGS

Supplemental Material Overview The World's Top 10 Worst Pollution Problems

Large numbers of infants and toddlers have died from lead poisoning in Nigerian villages where their parents process gold ore inside their family compounds, according to a report published Tuesday by an international team of researchers.

In two Nigerian communities, 118 children under the age of 5 died in a single year – 25 percent of the children in that age group. For the first time, the researchers uncovered strong evidence that points to lead as the likely cause for nearly all of those deaths. In addition, all of the surviving children who were tested suffered from lead poisoning, too.

“To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of an outbreak of

E-democracy: making government closer to the people in Macedonia

A new web portal aims to ease communication between citizens and government, to make government more responsive and efficient in real time.

By Klaudija Lutovska for Southeast European Times in Skopjе -- 23/12/11

Journalist Petranka Taleska, 30, participates in e-democracy. [Klaudija Lutovska/SETimes]

Macedonia's Ministry for Information Society and Administration announced last week it will implement the e-democracy portal project, spurring strong interest in various segments of society.

"The portal represents a modern method of public debate through which the citizens -- through an easy and easily accessible means -- can give their opinions about the government's proposed decisions and documents, as well as participate in the decision-making process," Information Minister Ivo Ivanovski told SETimes.

Using the portal, citizens can offer proposals, comments and suggestions regarding laws; offer comments regarding the public administration and state bureaucrats; write blogs; and directly communicate with government employees.

The portal consists of seven parts. The first is "Laws in the Making", which is directly connected to Macedonia's Electronic registry of Regulations (ENER). A database

Forty years ago the Catholic Liberation Theology was born in Latinamerica

Cardinal Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict, was named by John Paul II to appease the influence of the new theory

Accused of Marxist ideology for having proposed God’s option for the poor and needy, nevertheless it was also praised for having helped renew the Church’s message.

The book “The Liberation Theology, prospects” written by Peruvian born Dominican priest Gustavo Gutierrez and released in 1971, is considered the intellectual founding act for the theory and gave its name to the most important theological movement born in the Americas.

In

GCA announces winners of Christmas display competition

Castle Gardens in Sherborne, Dorset and Barton Grange Garden Centre in Preston, Lancashire to receive accolades at the GCA annual conference in Oxfordshire in January.

GCA chief executive Gillie Westwood, said: "Our congratulations go to Castle Gardens for coming first in the garden centre category and to Barton Grange Garden Centre for topping the destination garden centre group.

"The garden centres are judged on the innovation, inspiration and excitement created from the way their Christmas products are displayed. The range of products available, accessibility, how easy it is for customers to find and select products and 'wow factor' are also

John Lewis posts record sales

John Lewis has posted its highest-ever weekly sales figure for the week to Saturday, December 17, despite gloomy reports from other retailers on the high street.

The department store chain broke thought the £130m sales barrier, with revenue soaring 10.6% to £133.1m for the week compared to the same period last year, an uplift of 7.8% on last week's record figure of £123.5m.

Christmas shoppers boosted demand for electronics, toys and home accessories, with furnishing, Christmas decorations and table accessories all performing well.

The retailer has also seen a particular demand for gift food and electronic gadgets such

Builders Less Pessimistic About Housing Market

Rising interest from would-be buyers is leaving U.S. homebuilders less pessimistic about the housing market. But tighter lending standards are still keeping many potential buyers from purchasing new homes.

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index rose two points to 21 in December. That's the highest level since May 2010. It's just the second time the index has been at 20 or above in two years.

Still, any reading below 50 indicates negative sentiment about the housing market. The index hasn't reached 50 since April 2006, the peak of the housing boom.

Last year, the number of

Cute tuques for cool days

When the temperature drops and the cold-weather gear comes out, a slate of seasonal ills, from scaly skin to frizzy locks, follows on their heels. Protect your head from the elements – and counter a bad hair day – by throwing on a cute, colourful wool tuque. Choose one topped with a pom-pom to stand out during that first snowball fight of the year.

From left to right:

Steve Madden, $32 at the Bay (thebay.com)

Nine West, $40 at the Bay

Roots, $30 at roots.com

Roots, $36

BDG, $29 at Urban Outfitters (urbanoutfitters.com)

Source: The Globe and Mail

EULEX's de Marnhac: freedom of movement is a must

In an exclusive interview with SETimes, EULEX chief Xavier de Marnhac underlines the need for co-operation and rule of law.

By Linda Karadaku for Southeast European Times in Pristina -- 17/12/11

EULEX chief Xavier de Marnhac. [EU]

EULEX is not able to move freely in northern Kosovo due to the opposition of the local Serbs who accuse the mission of siding with Pristina officials.

The EU mission wants the barricades put up by the local Serbs to be removed, and have permanent and unconditional access for everyone.

EULEX chief Xavier de Marnhac spoke with SETimes correspondent Linda Karadaku about the mission's goals, and the hurdles it is facing.

SETimes: How will EULEX be able to return to the north and have freedom of movement?

Xavier de Marnhac: I cannot stress enough the fact that the barricades in the north should come down and that

Disclosed documents reveal Brazilian strong support for the Pinochet regime in Chile

Two months after the coup Pinochet received funds from Brazil

The telegrams were retrieved by the Brazilian Embassy in Santiago after Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff passed a government transparency law and opened a national truth commission earlier this month. The cables span from 1973 to 1976 and reveal coordination between the governments of Chile and Brazil that served to sustain oppressive policies under both regimes.

According to Folha, two months after the September 1973 coup de état that saw Gen. Augusto

Christmas sales "on a knife edge", says BRC

Footfall on UK high streets fell by 2.6% year-on-year last week, according to the latest BRC-Springboard Footfall Monitor.

For the week commencing December 5, footfall in shopping centres fell by 1.9%, and declined 0.2% in out-of-town locations.

Compared with the previous week, footfall fell 2.2% on high streets and 1.4% for out-of-town, while shopping centres saw numbers rise by 1.3%.

Footfall in the week commencing November 28 was boosted by the effects of public sector strikes and the end of the month payday which fell during the period. On an annual basis, both high streets and out-of-town footfall measures

As U.S. Departs, Iraq Faces An Uncertain Future

Enlarge Joe Raedle/Getty Images

U.S. Army Lt. Adam Wilson from Ontario, California, shakes hands with Sheik Mahmood Al-Ghizzi, possibly for the last time, on December 5, in Nasiriyah, Iraq. The two men met for a final lunch as the U.S. military prepares to leave Iraq after a nearly nine-year presence.

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

U.S. Army Lt. Adam Wilson from Ontario, California, shakes hands with Sheik Mahmood Al-Ghizzi, possibly for the last time, on December 5, in Nasiriyah, Iraq. The two men met for a final lunch as the U.S. military prepares to leave Iraq after a nearly nine-year presence.

As the last U.S. troops prepare to leave Iraq this month, what kind of country are they leaving behind?

Iraq's economy, the security system and the political structure are all functioning to varying degrees, yet all appear fragile.

No one expects Iraq to serve as a beacon of Jeffersonian democracy to the region or the world. The more relevant question at this point is how well it will function as a democracy, period.

"Iraqis themselves are uneasy about what the future holds," says Judith Yaphe, a former CIA analyst. "Iraq can't control its borders, it's got a weak military and a weak government and the economy is weak."

Violence has fallen since the country's most difficult period five years ago, but remains a persistent problem.

Timeline: The U.S. And The War In Iraq

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq at the end of 2011 marks the end of a nine-year conflict.

"Iraq is a country that's going to be characterized by violence for a long time to come," says Michael Eisenstadt, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. "The main thing is that the violence not get out of hand."

Iraqis have mostly been able to "muddle along" in recent years, says Celeste Ward Gventer, a former Department of Defense official who served as a political-military adviser in Iraq. They have avoided the "nightmare scenario" of descent back into chaos and rampant sectarian violence.

Still, she says, the country has "fallen far short of initial ambitions, and even the tempered ambitions that followed."

Conflicting Forces

Iraq's center of political gravity is being pulled in conflicting directions. The dominant theme recently has been the extent to which Prime Minister Nouriel al-Maliki has been able to consolidate power around himself.

His office dominates the legislature and is far more powerful than that of the president. Maliki has challenged the independence of other institutions as well, including the central bank, the election commission and the judiciary, according to analysts.

"Their version of the Supreme Court has almost become a tool in Maliki's hand," says Adeed Dawisha, a political scientist at Miami University of Ohio.

Such aggrandizement of personal political power, not limited to Maliki, is putting national reconciliation at risk, says Eric Davis, a political scientist at Rutgers University. At the same time, he says, competition among parliamentary factions is preventing various cabinet ministries from performing adequately.

Enlarge Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (second from left) participate in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Maliki was in Washington for talks ahead of the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq this month.

Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

U.S. President Barack Obama and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki (second from left) participate in a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday. Maliki was in Washington for talks ahead of the full withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq this month.

"They have all the trappings of democracy in place," Dawisha says. "You want to see if they improve their functionality in terms of democracy in the future. At the moment, as of today, they're not functioning very well."

Out In The Provinces

Iraqis understand political tradeoffs and coalition-building better than many in the U.S. think, says Yaphe, the former CIA analyst, who is now a fellow at the National Defense University.

They pull back and negotiate, preferring

Iowa Evangelicals Are Divided Over GOP Candidates

A spirited fight is on in Iowa for the evangelical vote in the Republican race for president. So far, Christian conservatives have not coalesced behind one candidate, the way they did four years ago for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Source: NPR : National Public Radio

London mayor attacks 2012 Olympics transportation critics

London's mayor says residents should ignore naysayers warning of transport gridlock during the Summer Olympics next year.

Mayor Boris Johnson says the chaos predicted will fail to materialize. He says those who fear trouble are merely “gloomadon poppers,” a term defined by his office as people who habitually put out negative news.

Known for his colorful language, Johnson lashed out at transport critics on Monday. He told delegates at the London Policy Conference that it was “complete and utter nonsense” that people will find it impossible to move around.

London's aging and overcrowded subway, rail and road network has been

NFL commissioner hoping for resolution on HGH testing

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he's hoping a human growth hormone testing program can be implemented “sooner rather than later.”

Goodell spoke with reporters after hosting a fan forum at Ford Field before Sunday's game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. The latest collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and union includes a provision to begin testing players for HGH — but it's contingent on the union agreeing to the testing methods.

The NFL Players Association has asked for more scientific data to prove the most popular test is reliable.

Surprisingly, Goodell wasn't asked during the fan forum about

Serbs disappointed by EU delay on candidacy

December 9th was to be an historic date. Instead, it failed to produce the expected green light from the EU.

By Bojana Milovanovic for Southeast European Times in Belgrade – 10/12/11

The EU decision is a boost for parties that do not want Serbia to join the EU, according to President Boris Tadic. [Reuters]

Meeting in Brussels on Friday (December 9th), the European Commission (EC) postponed a long-awaited decision to grant Serbia the formal status of EU candidate.

EC President Herman van Rompuy said Serbia's progress will be assessed in February, followed by a decision at the March EU summit.

The Commission praised Belgrade's efforts – particularly in harmonizing legislation with that of the EU and

Ex-FBI agent appears in hostage video, years after vanishing in Iran

Long after he vanished in Iran, retired FBI agent Robert Levinson reappeared in a video and a series of photographs sent to his family over the past year, transforming a mysterious disappearance into a hostage standoff with an unknown kidnapper, The Associated Press has learned.

In the video emailed to his family in November 2010, Mr. Levinson pleaded with the U.S. government to meet the demands of his unidentified captors.

“I have been treated well. But I need the help of the United States government to answer the requests of the group that has held me for three and a half years,” Mr. Levinson says. “And please help me get home.”

The 54-second video showed Levinson looking haggard but unharmed, sitting in front of what appeared to be a concrete wall. He had lost considerable

Sauber pulling out of FOTA

Sauber have said they are to follow the lead of Ferrari and world champions Red Bull by pulling out of the Formula One Teams' Association.

It is thought that Toro Rosso will follow suit. The Italian team who, like Red Bull Racing, are owned by the energy drinks company, did not attend a FOTA meeting in London last week.

"Last week the Sauber F1 Team has declared its departure from the Formula One Teams' Association FOTA. We have explained the reasons for the decision to FOTA," the Swiss-based team said in a statement without giving further details.

Sauber's departure broadens

Santander sells Colombia’s affiliate to a Chilean bank

The Spanish group needs the funds to counter European operations

In a filing to the Spanish stock market regulator, Santander said the sale values its operations in Colombia, which is not seen as a core market, at 1.225 billion dollars; Santander will fetch Euro 615 million in capital gains.

The operation will be subject to the approval of regulatory authorities in Chile and Colombia and the completion of the transaction is expected to take place in the

Corruption on the rise in Serbia

The rise in corruption is largely due to the country's political regression.

By Katica Djurovic for Southeast European Times in Belgrade -- 06/12/11

Corruption is spreading due to political regression in the country. [SETimes illustration]

The latest 2011 Transparency International study shows that Serbia has fallen behind in the fight against corruption. The study singles out insufficient judicial system reform, violations in anti-corruption laws and political parties affecting public sector work as main obstacles in Serbia's fight against corruption.

"There isn't enough political will and readiness in the country to fight corruption. So far, the results are disappointing as the laws are improperly implemented, institutions are weak, and

The 33-nation CELAC grants full support to Argentina in the Falklands’ dispute

President Piñera will be hosting the next CELAC summit and Cuba in 2013

According to the text, CELAC instructed the pro-tempore presidency, now in the hands of Chile’s Sebastian Piñera to petition UN Bank Ki-moon to renew his efforts for the resumption of negotiations between Argentina and the UK referred to the Falklands/Malvinas dispute.

The so called Special Communiqué Project on the Malvinas Islands, states that the members of CELAC support “Argentina’s legitimate rights in the sovereignty dispute over

Zynga IPO to raise up to $1-billion

Zynga Inc. will brave difficult market conditions and resume its delayed initial public offering this month, seeking a market valuation of up to $7-billion (U.S.).

The maker of CityVille and FarmVille for mobile devices and social networks such as Facebook will seek to raise up to $1-billion by selling 100 million shares in a projected range of $8.50 to $10 a share.

The sale will match other recent Internet-related company issues, such as the Groupon Inc. GRPN-Q offering, by selling just a sliver of its shares outstanding, at roughly 11 per cent after the offering.

The valuation

Eurozone's Rescue Plan Needs A Quick Fix

European leaders meet in Brussels next week with an urgent mission: Agree on a plan that to keep debt-ridden countries like Greece and Spain from default and save the euro. NPR's Eric Westervelt has the latest on efforts by European leaders.

Source: NPR : National Public Radio

Del Potro ready for Nadal challenge

Juan Martin Del Potro insists the mental scars suffered by Argentina in their 2008 Davis Cup final defeat to Spain have healed.

Argentina wasted arguably their greatest chance to land the sport's biggest team prize as Spain emerged victorious when the title match was played on an indoor court in Mar del Plata three years ago.

They meet again in Seville, starting on Friday, and world number 11 Del Potro is keen to lead his country to glory despite the fact the indoor clay surface at the Olympic Stadium will heavily favour a home side headlined by Rafael Nadal.

He

Croatia in throes of election fever

Croatian voters will cast their votes in parliamentary elections on December 4th.

By Natasa Radic for Southeast European Times in Zagreb -- 01/12/11

Croatians face another government change. [Petar Kos/SETimes]

For the seventh time since independence, Croatian voters will go to the polls to choose leaders for the next four years.

"I still don't know if I will vote on Sunday. I think they are all the same," said Ana Maria Begovic, a teacher from Zagreb. "If I decide to go out Sunday, and if it is not too cold, I will vote SDP, as we have not seen [Zoran] Milanovic in political action yet. These guys [HDZ], so far, did not show anything significantly important," she concluded.

Nino I., a mechanic, disagrees and will vote for the ruling HDZ. "They did start the fight against corruption. And they appreciate the homeland and