Cold symptoms = aches, headache, dry cough

Small blast at Sardinia tax office
A small bomb has exploded at a tax office on the Italian island of Sardinia. No-one was injured in the blast at the headquarters of the national tax collection company in Olbia, a town in the north-east of the island. Several letter bombs have been sent to the same company’s Rome office in the last month. More about: Attack, Bomb blast, Italy

“It was like a scene from the Titanic”
At least three people were killed and dozens of others were unaccounted for on Saturday after a large cruise ship carrying more than 4,000 people ran aground overnight off the west coast of Italy, taking on water and tipping over. REUTERS/Stringer ?�?�?� More about: Accident, Italy, Shipwrecks, Victims

Hungarians protest against new constitution
Tens of thousands of Hungarians protested long into the night against the government’s re-writing of the constitution, changes that the demonstrators say erode democracy. The so-called new ‘Basic Law’ reduces the size of parliament and hands over key posts in the economy, police, judiciary and the military to allies of Hungary’s ruling political party. “The main problem with the constitution is that it is destroying the constitutional order, the new Basic Law is really a one party basic law,” said trade unionist Kornel Arok, who was among the protesters. Another added: “My grandchildren tell me they will not stay in this country. They are young people who wanted to have a life here but now they can’t.” There has been much criticism over a new media law which places greater control in the hands of those loyal to the leaders of the ruling centre-right Fidesz party. Prime Minister Viktor Orban has largely ignored the protests; with Fidesz enjoying a large parliamentary majority, the changes were easily approved. According to the government the exercise has been a much needed recasting of laws and rules governing many walks of life. It says it completes a democratisation process started after the collapse of communism in 1989. More about: Constitution, Debt crisis, European Union, Hungary

Pakistan’s top court wants PM to face contempt charges
Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday ordered Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to appear before judges to face contempt charges. The court said that Gilani must answer questions on January 19 over the government’s failure to pursue corruption cases against the president and other senior officials. President Asif Ali Zadari has faced a series of corruption allegations since the 1990s, including accusations of accepting bribes. In 2009, the Supreme Court struck down an amnesty deal protecting him and his aides from prosecution. Zadari insists he still has immunity as head of state. The 56-year-old widower of former PM Benazir Bhutto won the presidency in September 2008. His wife was assassinated on December 27 the previous year as she attended an election rally. More about: Pakistan, Political crisis

Detroit Auto Show opens amid signs of recovery
As the Detroit Auto Show opens the US car industry is celebrating a total turn-around, gearing up for good times having morphed from meltdown three years ago to robust health now. Analysts and car company executives expect sales to grow between and four percent and nine percent this year, the third consecutive annual gain. The National Automobile Dealers Association is predicting a total of 13.9 million vehicles this year. The number of cars sold last year in the US rose just over 10 percent to 12.7 million. However, analysts warn that a return to the boom years of 17 million annual sales will not happen any time soon. With sales set to slide in Europe, Asian and European manufacturers are looking to the US for some of their growth. That means General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, which is now controlled by Fiat, can expect stronger competition in their home market this year. More about: Cars, Detroit, Show, USA

Hungarian democracy ‘reformed’
Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orban has brought in a new constitution in spite of strong criticism from the opposition at home and from other countries, European Union partners included. The centre-right Fidesz party government is moving ahead ignoring protesters who say the new moves are undemocratic. Orban’s government has taken advantage of its huge majority in parliament to rewrite Hungary’s constitution and pass a series of laws that would require a two-thirds majority to be changed. This includes cutting parliament to 199 from 386 members and redrawing constituencies, which critics say favours Fidesz. Among the electoral reforms, all ethnic Hungarians are granted voting rights, raising a potential for conflict with neighbouring countries. And key posts in running the economy, police, military and legal system go to Fidesz political allies. Conservative Christianity is enshrined in the new constitution, while the number of recognised religions is drastically cut. Also in the realm of private matters, the foetus is protected from the moment of conception. Marriage is only legal if between a man and a woman. New laws on all public and private media place them under the surveillance by a body controlled by Fidesz loyalists. Radio, television and print organisations are liable for crippling fines if they fail to comply with orders of political ???balance???. A new financial stability law confirms the flat personal income tax at 16 percent — also binding, like the other changes, on future governments’ budget policies. A new fiscal council appointed by the prime minister has veto power over budgets and can dissolve parliament. The central bank loses independence under another law, which the European Central Bank said raises concern over decision-making. This puts any future adoption of the euro by Hungary in question. EU and IMF officials suspended aid talks with Hungary over the bank law. The power to choose its vice-chairmen also becomes a prime ministerial prerogative. He names three, while the parliament names six of the members of the central bank board of directors. To modify these new laws by a two thirds majority in parliament looks impossible for the main opposition — today the Socialists. The US has added its voice to the protests from business, investors and the EU. Orban dismissed a request by the European Commission to withdraw the legislation. More about: Constitution, European Union, Freedom of speech, Hungary, Press freedom

Euro crisis dominates as Finns choose new president
The people of Finland have begun voting in the first round of the presidential election after a campaign dominated by the euro crisis. Opinion polls suggest most voters want the country to remain pro-Europe and in the single currency, despite growing euroscepticism. The frontrunner, the conservative Sauli Niinist?�, has seen his level of support drop quite drastically according to the polls. A member of the governing party, the former finance minister has staunchly defended the euro and Finland’s role in the EU. He is credited with having overseen the country’s economic recovery after the fall of the Soviet Union devastated Finnish trade. A surprise figure could be another pro-European, the Green Party candidate Pekka Haavisto, who has risen to second place according to one poll, although some way behind the leader. He says Finland no longer needs what he calls a ‘dinosaur president’ but someone close to the people. Last April’s general election saw the highly eurosceptic Finns Party become the main opposition. But its outspoken candidate has been trailing in the polls. The president has little real power but for many voters, diplomacy is one of the key roles. More about: European Union, Finland, Finland politics, Presidential elections

Former mayor named new Slovenian PM
Slovenia looks like it has a new head of government, the former mayor of the country’s capital. Zoran Jankovic has been named the prime-minister designate by the country’s president. This after inconclusive elections last month. More about: Parliamentary elections, Politics, Slovenia

French musician writes Obama’s 2012 theme tune
After recording this song for Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, French musician Tony Jazz has been commissioned to write the official song of the Young Democrats for the US president’s 2012 bid. More about: Contemporary music, France, USA