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USA: McCain backs Romney, Bachmann out
He has become the front-runner in the Republican race for the White House, and now he has the endorsement of John McCain. Mitt Romney stood alongside the Republican party’s 2008 presidential candidate at a rally in New Hampshire, the scene of the next primary in three days’ time. Romney edged out former senator Rick Santorum in the Iowa caucuses contest. He told reporters he will now expect what he calls fast and furious attacks from his Republican rivals. Danny Hayes, Assistant Professor of Government at the American University in Washington said: “I think we’ll see a pretty vigorous competition over the next few weeks between Romney and Santorum. “Again … I think the ultimate outcome is going to depend in many ways on whether Santorum can put together a formidable organisation to organise volunteers and to organise voters to turn out the vote in the primary.” The Tea Party favourite Michele Bachmann decided to quit the race after coming in sixth place in the Iowa vote. More about: American politics, Republicans, US elections, USA, USA presidential elections 2012

Old money to the rescue of a Spanish town
A small town in Spain is encouraging people to use the former currency, the peseta, to boost the local economy. Many people still hold pesetas and the shops can accept them since, under Spanish law, Spain’s central bank has to exchange them for euros. Residents from neighbouring districts have been coming to Salvaterra de Mi?�o to support the project, which is organised by the local Chamber of Commerce. Board member Alejandra Rivas explained: “The peseta re-using programme has been extended from one month to three and we want to extend it for another month. As long as there are people from other places who come to buy with the peseta the programme will be continued.” Most shops in the town have joined the scheme especially as it is the Chamber of Commerce that collects the pesetas and takes them to Madrid to exchange them for euros. “People are very happy about the programme because we can use the peseta again. It’s like we can buy things for free.” The Chamber of Commerce says the project has proved an effective way of boosting the local economy but it does not mean the whole of Spain will start using the peseta again. More about: Economic crisis, Euro, Spain

Israeli strike kills alleged militant in Gaza Strip
Israeli military forces have killed a man in the Gaza Strip, who was allegedly affiliated with al-Qaeda. It accused him of being involved in a plan to launch attacks from neighbouring Egypt. Abdallah Telbani died after a missile was apparently launched from an aircraft. Two other men were reportedly injured. A separate strike hit a jeep elsewhere in Gaza City – wounding three people inside, it was claimed. Israel’s military confirmed carrying out the two attacks. The developments come three years after Israel launched a major offensive in Gaza. Operation Cast Lead left more than 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis dead. More about: Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Islamists, Israel, The Gaza Strip

Australia lights up the sky for 2012
Australia was one of the first countries to celebrate the arrival of 2012 with a spectacular firework display centred around Sydney Harbour, its famous bridge and the iconic Opera House. More than half a million people watched the display with some camping out since Friday to secure a good vantage point. Sydney’s extravagant New Year’s Eve displays have become famous over the years especially since the world-acclaimed firework show at the turn of the millennium. More about: Australia, New Year celebrations, Sydney

Jungfrau railway marks 100-year anniversary
A giant light installation of the flag of Switzerland, by Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter, illuminates the north face of the Jungfrau mountain, in the Bernese Oberland. The installation commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the Jungfrau railway, which first began operations in the year 1912. REUTERS/Markus Zimmermann More about: Anniversary, Public transport, Switzerland

Coma and Peterhansel claim stage four of Dakar
Marc Coma recovered from his navigational error on Tuesday to win stage four of the Dakar rally and close the gap on overall leader Cyril Despres. The Spanish reigning champion completed the day’s trek from San Juan to Chilecito in Argentina two minutes ahead of his traditional rival. Despres still has a firm grip on the overall standings and heads into stage five with an eight minute and ten second advantage over Coma. It was another great day for the minis in the car category. Dakar rally legend Stephane Peterhansel started the day in fifth place but after a superb drive the Frenchman took the stage win and with it the overall lead. Defending champion Nasser Al-Attiyah struggled badly in the dunes in his Hummer. With 40 kilometres to the line the Qatari driver needed assistance from his team-mates before driving home just over 26 minutes off the pace. Peterhansel now leads South African Giniel de Villiers by five minutes overall heading into stage five More about: Argentina, Motorcycling, Motorsport, Rally

Vigil for Argentina’s Fern??ndez before cancer surgery
Dozens of supporters of Argentina’s President Cristina Fern??ndez de Kirchner have been holding a vigil outside the hospital where she is due to undergo an operation for cancer. She is expected to remain in hospital in Pilar, some 60 kilometres from Buenos Aires, for at least 72 hours. Doctors say there is no sign the disease has spread and the president has a high chance of recovery. “We know it is nothing, nothing serious, but nonetheless we want the president to know that we are here with her, always,” said one supporter among the crowd who have set up tents and banners. Fern??ndez, who is 58, has the most common form of thyroid cancer. Her illness was revealed not long after she won a second term with a landslide victory in October’s election. The death of her husband, the former president Nestor Kirchner, brought a wave of sympathy and Fern??ndez remains highly popular. During her first term she presided over strong economic growth and brought in policies to help the poor. She is one of several Latin American leaders to be diagnosed with cancer. More about: Argentina, Cancer, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, Health, Politics

Egypt calms Washington fears over raids
Washington says it has had assurances from Egyptian military officials that they will stop raids on pro-democracy and human rights groups. The US was quick to denounce Friday’s break-ins at the offices of 17 non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Egypt was warned that 1.3 billion dollars in US military aid could be reviewed if the raids continued. “What I am afraid of is that the raids of the various organisations is a sign that there is a step backward, that Egypt’s government is not tolerating freedom of speech, freedom of association,” said Les Campbell from the National Democratic Institute. Egypt’s military currently run the country following the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak. They’ve promised to return the country to civilian rule in the next year. Egypt’s state news agency said the raids related to an investigation into foreign funding and reports that some of the NGOs were working without permits. More about: Egypt, Humanitarian aid, NGO, USA

Belarus restricts internet access
New laws have come into force in Belarus restricting access to a range of internet sites that the government deems ‘extremist’. The regime has not revealed the blacklist, but analysts believe it will include opposition and human rights websites. The ban, which the government is promoting as a service, will apply in state insitutions and educational establishments. Ludmila Chekina, from the company that administers the Belarussian ‘.by’ domaine suffix said: ‘If someone uses the internet at home or a commercial organisation and doesn’t want to use the service on restricting sites prohibited under the law, he can still visit them. Nobody has the right to restrict his actions.’ The new law, though, requires cyber-cafe owners to collect and keep details of their users, and make them available to the police if requested. There has been determined opposition to the hardline president Alexander Lukashenko, especially since he was re-elected in December 2010. More about: Belarus, Censorship, Freedom of speech, Internet