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Arab mission in Syria criticised by opposition
Arab monitors have filmed the Syrian army in the centre of Homs, contradicting earlier statements that the troops had withdrawn. Opposition groups in several cities claim the army has instead hidden weapons in dugouts and replaced tanks with blue armoured vehicles said to belong to the police. The Arab League says its week-long mission has helped stem the bloodshed, ensured the tanks have left the cities and instigated a prisoner release. But a parody of an Arab observer, enacted in a street in Homs, showed an actor writing a pitiful report and releasing a dove of peace, conveying opposition complaints that the mission has been ineffective, hoodwinked and had sometimes even ignored the evidence before it. In unverified footage the actor eventually addressed the crowd saying “There is nothing to be frightened of in Homs”. It is impossible to confirm reports as foreign journalists are barred from entry into Syria but activists said ten people were killed by security forces in the city that day. More about: Arab League, Bashar al-Assad, Military, Syria, Unrest in the Arab world

Putin rejects opposition calls for election review
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has rejected opposition calls for a review of this month’s disputed parliamentary elections. Speaking after last weekend’s mass protest over alleged electoral fraud, he accused the opposition of lacking goals and leaders. “The problem is that they (the opposition) have no common agenda — well, there are many individual plans, but there is no general one. There are no clear and understandable means to achieve their goals, which are not clear. And there are no people capable of doing anything specific. In these types of situations, there is always an attempt to delegitimise and devalue everything which happens in the public sphere, especially over the electoral plans,” he said. Putin also promised a transparent presidential election next year, when he is expected to seek a third term. He had no need to “cheat” in order to win, he was quoted as saying. One leading opposition figure, blogger and anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny, said in a radio interview that he was ready to run for president against Putin next year. He had harsh words for those in power. “These people in the Kremlin and in the government, they are usurpers, they are there illegally. They are the ones who should be afraid. If someone is breaking the law or commits a crime, they should be arrested, charges should be brought, they should be in the dock and then face prison,” he said. On Monday, protesters converged on a court in Moscow after another opposition activist had his prison term extended. Sergei Udaltsov went on hunger strike after being arrested earlier this month for staging a rally without approval. Just as he was due to be released at the weekend, the court prolonged his prison term for resisting the police at a separate protest in October. More about: Protest, Russia, Russian politics, Vladimir Putin

Restoration row over da Vinci masterpiece
Two eminent French art experts have resigned over the way a Leonardo da Vinci painting has been restored. The pair claim the Louvre museum in Paris has over-cleaned the 500-year-old ‘Virgin and Child with Saint Anne’ masterpiece. They say the artist would never have wanted the picture to appear so bright. More about: Art, Leonardo da Vinci, Museum, Painting, Paris

Traditional flour fights in Spain
A flour fight rooted in tradition dating back more than two centuries has been held in the Spanish town of Ibi in Alicante. It takes place on December 28 each year as part of celebrations related to the Day of the Innocents, the equivalent of April Fools Day. A spoof army known as the Els Amantats dressed in full uniform stage a mock coup d’etat. Revellers pelt each other with eggs and flour, whilst setting off firecrackers outside the town hall before seizing power for themselves and naming a new mayor. More about: Spain, Tradition, Traditional celebrations

Arab peace monitors start work in Syria
Despite the arrival of Arab peace monitors, 15 people are said to have been killed in Syria – the latest victims in a weekend of more bloodshed. In the flashpoint city of Homs, some 70,000 protesters, emboldened by the presence of the observers, confronted security forces. Unverified video posted on the internet appeared to show activists urging the observers to venture into areas where clashes have been especially fierce, calling for international protection. The 50-strong Arab delegation is in Syria to determine if President Bashar al-Assad is keeping his promise to implement a peace plan. Although never allowed to wander away from government minders, the leader of the mission claimed the first visit had gone well. But activists said the tanks only left as the monitors arrived and later, when they withdrew, more violent clashes broke out. The UN says at least 5,000 lives have been lost in Syria since the protest movement began nine months ago. To counter claims of a popular peaceful revolt, Syrian state-run television reported that stacks of weapons had been seized from what were described as Islamist terrorists. More about: Arab League, Bashar al-Assad, Syria

Turkey talks about national brand car
The Turkish car market is set to end 2011 as the fifth biggest in Europe, overtaking Spain, with sales of 900,000 vehicles. A total of 1.2 million cars were assembled in Turkey this year using mostly imported parts with Ford and Fiat the biggest names. Now Turkey is talking about creating an all Turkish car. The government is encouraging companies to study what is needed to built Turkey’s first national car. Jan Nahum, the boss of Karsan which makes commercial vehicles, is optimistic. He told euronews: “I am convinced that there will be more than one Turkish brand within the next ten years. It will come about through several methods, instead of a single business model. No doubt about it.” Meanwhile the idea that there could be some Turkish delight for Saab has faded. Just before Christmas there were reports of Turkish interest in buying the bankrupt Swedish carmaker and Saab??�s chief executive Victor Muller did meet with Turkish diplomats in Stockholm. But Turkish government officials said it was Muller who requested that meeting and they have no interests in buying Saab. More about: Ankara, Economic growth, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey

Israel opposition leader at anti-extremism rally
Thousands turned out to support a rally against Jewish religious extremism in the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh on Tuesday night. The peaceful protest, supported by Israel’s President Shimon Peres, is in response to a spate of incidents in the city west of Jerusalem, where ultra-orthodox Jews are trying to get residents to become more conservative. Speaking from the rally, opposition leader Tzipi Livni said: “We are fighting for the image of the state of Israel. It’s not just Beit Shemesh and not just gender segregation, it’s all the extremist elements that are rearing their heads and are trying to impose their world view on us.” The movement was sparked by alleged abuse suffered by an eight-year old school girl who claims she was spat at by ultra-orthodox Jews for dressing ‘immodestly’. Those at the rally are also against attempts to introduce gender segregation, including women having to sit at the back of buses, which the ultra-orthodox Jews support. Earlier in the day, the president called on all Israelis to support the rally, saying these kind of rules have no place in a secular state. More about: Israel, Protest, Religion, Urban violence

New Year arrives in the Americas
Every year for a century, a five metre light-studded crystal ball has descended above revellers in New York’s Times Square to officially mark the beginning of the new year. This year, singers Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber helped a estimated one million people kick off 2012 with New York mayor Michael Bloomberg looking on. Some New York revellers, wearing party hats and ‘2012’ glasses, began camping out on Saturday to get the best places. For security reasons, police closed off streets around Times Square and prohibited celebrants from bringing alcohol, backpacks, large bags or packages into the area. In Brazil, two million people partied on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach as an estimated 24 tons of fireworks were let off, launched from 11 boats. Light rain fell during the celebration, but it did not dampen the mood of the revellers as they watched the 16-minute display. Immediately after the countdown, the sky was covered with an intense green light. Organisers said the colour was chosen to highlight a large UN environment summit taking place in Rio in June. Following the fireworks, the crowd enjoyed a series of concerts on four stages spread throughout the Copacabana beach area. Performers included international DJ David Guetta and Brazilian artist Beth Carvalho and Samba school Beija-flor. Over 1,500 police officers were on hand to make sure the celebrations were safe. More about: New Year celebrations, New York, Rio de Janeiro

Police make ‘fishy’ discovery in Russian morgue
Police in the Russian city of St Petersburg have uncovered something fishy at a local hospital morgue. Officers seized nearly 200 kilos of illegal caviar, stashed amongst the dead bodies. Two employees have been arrested. More about: Arrest, Death, Russia