From The Independent:

With Somali buccaneers heading south in search of a safe haven, the islanders fear for their honeymoon reputation and fishing livelihoods.

In the past six weeks, Americans have witnessed two jarringly different — but completely accurate — views of al-Qaeda’s terrorist network.

While the war of words is escalating around the clock between Israel on the one side and Hezbollah and Syria on the other, analysts in the Middle East and Europe strongly believe that war is inevitable and will break out within a few months.

In this scary context, senior Lebanese sources told the Saudi daily Al-Okaz that Hezbollah has announced emergency readiness in all areas of the country where it operates.

The Mistral docked in Brest. (Photo: French Ministry of Defence)

PARIS, Feb 8 (Reuters) – France has agreed to sell a Mistral class warship to Russia, a French official said on Monday, despite concerns expressed by Georgia and other countries.

Russia wanted to buy the 21,300-tonne helicopter carrier from France to modernise hardware that was exposed as outdated in its five-day war against Georgia in 2008.

“France has agreed to sell one Mistral warship to Russia,” a Defence Ministry official told reporters.

Read more ….

France and Russia in warship deal — BBC
France approves sale of Mistral warship to Russia – RIA Novsoti
French officials say France agrees to sell Russia an advanced warship, considering 3 more — Canadian Press
Russian navy wants four Mistral warships, as French arms sales rocket — FRI
Russia Wants 4 Amphibs From France: French Ministry — Georgian Daily/AFP
US, France clash over an arms sale to Russia – Summary — Earth Times