'The oldest hatred' behind closed doors

Spouses fair game in bitter battle for Ontario

Human smuggling bill endorsements not all they seem  

Crisis? What crisis?

Outgoing veterans ombudsman says he’ll sue government

Ethics watchdog won't say if Wright must stay out of defence plans

MPs say office budgets not enough

--We follow with a great Obama moment

President ‘Barry’ Obama joined Muslim prayers in Jakarta, teacher says

As a schoolboy in Jakarta Barack Obama attended Muslim prayer sessions with his classmates against the wishes of his mother, The Times has learnt.

In an interview with The Times the US President’s former grade three teacher said that Mr Obama — who was known as “Barry” when he attended the Menteng One school in Jakarta — studied the Koran and went to classes on Islam, despite the objections of Anne Dunham, a Roman Catholic.

--What the Yanks are reporting on the good war

Missing votes found in Afghanistan

Losing Candidates in Afghan Election March in Kabul

U.S. concerns grow as militants move bases along Pakistan border

--We leave you today with a great Afstan moment

Taliban Seek to Sway Congress

The letter was e-mailed to news organizations Sunday, and it differed little from the countless statements the Taliban have released over the years. Many have been aimed at Americans, at times directly saying so.

But this was believed to be the first addressed to Congress, perhaps an indication of how closely the militants pay attention to the U.S media, which of course has been filled in the past week with stories about Congress—and what Americans are expecting of their many new representatives.

Mr. Ahmadi wrote that the point was to give Congress "another side of the coin, more different from the one which is submitted to you by your generals, time and again."

Much of the roughly 2,300-word letter, addressed to "Messers American Congressmen" and written in similarly problematic English, is stock rhetoric. Mr. Ahmadi blamed the U.S.-led coalition for the violence in Afghanistan; he denied any Taliban link to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, which he called the "September Event"; he said it was the Taliban, not the coalition, who had the upper hand around the southern city of Kandahar, where U.S. surge forces are engaged in a broad offensive.

"Still, instead of pondering over their mistakes, your military officers are bent on continuing the war," Mr. Ahmadi wrote. "They irresponsibly give you distorted information about a losing war, trying to conceal from you their failures."

It wasn't clear whether the letter was actually sent to members of Congress or simply e-mailed to news organizations. Mr. Ahmadi's phone was off by the time the letter began appearing in inboxes.

--We begin with a great moment in Canadian politics

 Layton and Chow: The million-dollar power couple

Like other MPs from outside the National Capital Region, the couple is entitled to charge for their accommodation, meals while travelling and maintaining a constituency office. Chow's expenses tallied $530,304.73 and Layton's was $628,913.68.

The NDP's power couple lives in a $2,000-a-month apartment just steps from Parliament Hill.

To stay in their home away from home, they charged a total of $42,478 for accommodation and per diem expenses.

Chow was reimbursed $17,010.20, while Layton charged the maximum of $25,468.

“It's within the law,” Chow snapped when asked why they both bill for accommodation while in Ottawa, later explaining they split the rent, about $12,000 each, depending on how much time they spend in Ottawa.

Chow refused to break out how much of her $17,010.20 was for rent and for per diem expenses.

Instead, she wanted to talk about other opposition MPs and what they charge, including Human Resources Minister Diane Finley, whose husband, former Conservative party national campaign director Doug Finley, was appointed to the Senate by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in August 2009.

“What about them? Are you going to look at their expenses?” Chow said.

--Today’s bouquet

 'Sham or camouflage' firing leaves questions

--What the Star is reporting on the good war

Two soldiers' first brush with war

Troops may stay in Afghanistan as ‘trainers'

--What the W Post is reporting on the war on whatever

U.S. deploying drones in Yemen to hunt for Al-Qaeda, has yet to fire missiles

--The world needs more Canada?

Can igloos save Haiti's homeless?

--What else our papers are reporting

‘I served Canada’: veterans across Canada protest

Public opinion of military unchanged by Williams: Poll

Ambush on The Hill

--What the NY Times is reporting on the US mid-terms

Dissecting the 2010 Midterm Election Exit Polls

For the first time since 1982, when exit polls began measuring support for Congressional candidates, Republicans received a majority of women’s votes. Two years ago, House Democratic candidates won women by 14 points.

--What the W Post is reporting

Democrats ask whether Obama's White House fully grasped voters' fears

--Hey, it’s okay to laugh about it

JIMMY KIMMEL

“It was Election Day in America today. ... The Republicans ... didn’t win the Senate. They did win the House, which means the Democrats lost the House. Big deal. A lot of Americans lost their house.”

JIMMY FALLON

“A lot of people went on Twitter to complain that the font size used on ballots was too small. ... People who got the small fonts were like, ‘I can’t see anyone I want to vote for!’ People who got the regular size fonts were like, ‘I can’t see anyone I want to vote for!’ ”

--Worth noting

Post needs to get over fear of crowd estimates

CBS News has used Digital Design & Imaging Service Inc., a Falls Church firm that employs devices such as satellite images and balloon-tethered cameras. The super-clear shots provide head counts in grids, and computers analyze areas of similar density to produce precise estimates.

Conservative commentator Glenn Beck claimed that his late August "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington attracted "between 300,000 and 500,000" participants. But Digital Design's estimate for CBS put the crowd at 87,000. Its estimate for last weekend's "Sanity and/or Fear" rally was 215,000 and was briefly noted on The Post's Web site.

"We have a very sound methodology," said Curt Westergard, president of Digital Design, which makes the data for its crowd counts available online for the public to evaluate.

--From across the pond, also worth noting

John Rentoul: Here lies electoral reform. R.I.P.

Last rites were read by Andy Burnham, Labour's elections co-ordinator, in a Guardian interview yesterday. He said that Labour's "sole priority" in May would be the Scottish, Welsh and local elections, rather than the referendum on the same day.

But the patient had been declining for months. Last week YouGov reported that 43 per cent said they would vote "to stick with first-past-the-post" and only 32 per cent would "switch to the Alternative Vote for electing MPs". That contrasts sharply with the weekend after the coalition was formed in May. Then, a ComRes poll for this newspaper found 59 per cent support for change, with only 32 per cent opposed.

--We leave you with some other columns worth reading

Potash bid is not a new NEP (Milke)

Sometimes we have to say no to foreign investment – the star

Khadr deal with only antagonize traditional Tory voter base | Ezra Levant

Why blue berets don't work | Mercedes Stephenson

Barack Obama, Phone Home  (RICH)

Republicans won the midterm elections. Now can they survive? (Luntz)

Our Banana Republic  (KRISTOF)

Barack Obama becomes the Relevant Progressive President  (Harnden)

President Obama hasn't changed. We have. (Meacham)

The Cost of a Vote Goes Up  (PORTER)

George F. Will - Congress can keep Obama in check

Long Live Lady Luck  (FRIEDMAN)

David Ignatius - Obama's game of nuclear chicken with Iran

Kathleen Parker - Goldman Sachs program raises up women worldwide

Compounding a Conflict of Interest  (Brisbane)

--We begin on the front page of the Saturday Star

Our wounded warriors: The hidden face of our injured soldiers

--What the Citizen is reporting on the good war

Stogran's last stand

--What the Star is reporting on a ‘child soldier’ in that war

The Last Guantanamo Ferry

--We follow with a flashback to the bad war

British Troops in Iraq Accused of Abusing Detainees

--Also from across the pond, a great moment in politics we hope spreads

Phil Woolas ejected from parliament over election slurs 

The former immigration minister Phil Woolas was ejected from parliament today after two high court judges ruled that he lied about his Liberal Democrat opponent during the general election, in a judgment that is likely to have profound implications for all future campaigns.

--The world needs more Canada?

Channel tunnel rail link sold for £2.1bn to Canadian pension funds 

The Channel tunnel rail link has become the latest piece of British infrastructure to be snapped up by acquisitive Canadian pension funds….

The deal comes in a week that saw the Canadian government block the hostile takeover bid for Potash Corporation by the Anglo-Australian mining group BHP Billiton, and as the Canadian dollar, which has recently been boosted by strong commodity prices, reversed losses this week. …

The RMT union slammed the rail link sell-off as "just another act of political vandalism on the UK railways". Bob Crow, the RMT general secretary, said: "The most modern section of the UK rail network has been sold off for a song in what amounts to nothing more than a fire sale of the family silver to prop up the financial deficit caused by the bankers and speculators in the first place.

--Today’s bouquet

Saudis Warned U.S. of Attack Before Parcel Bomb Plot 

--Another great moment in Canadian journalism

Le Carnaval et Maclean’s enterrent la hache de guerre

«Notre utilisation de Bonhomme sur la page couverture a pu donner l’impression que le Carnaval était lié aux allégations de corruption politique au Québec. Nous voulons donc préciser que le Carnaval n’est en rien relié au contenu de l’article. Nous regrettons sincèrement que nos lecteurs aient pu être induits en erreur par notre façon d’utiliser l’image de Bonhomme», pourra-t-on lire, selon ce que Le Journal de Québec a pu apprendre. …Patrick Lemaire. a refusé de dévoiler la nature de la compensation consentie au Carnaval, possiblement sous forme de publicité.

--The latest polling poop

Tories, Liberals stuck in 'trench warfare' says Ipsos Reid poll

--In the lead- up to the next one this week, a great moment in political economy

Harper warns G20 not to lose resolve on deficits, tackle trade imbalances

"In Seoul, we will need to take bold and concerted action, building on progress achieved in Toronto and previous summits," Harper writes, in excerpts of the letter released by officials.

"As a first step, we must acknowledge the role played by the persistence of large and unsustainable current account imbalances, in deficit and surplus countries," he writes.

China tees up G20 showdown with US

China has curtly dismissed a US proposal to address global economic imbalances, setting the stage for a potential showdown at next week’s G20 meeting in Seoul.

Cui Tiankai, a deputy foreign minister and one of China’s lead negotiators at the G20, said on Friday that the US plan for limiting current account surpluses and deficits to 4 per cent of gross domestic product harked back “to the days of planned economies”.

--What the WS Journal is reporting

South Korea's Lee Seeks 'Peer Pressure' on Currency Woes

--Tell me again why the G20 was a great idea?

Experts say the mood has soured since the G20 Toronto summit in June and worry that unless the summit can patch up differences on trade imbalances and exchange rates, the outlook for international economic agreement is poor.

--The world needs more Canada

Exporting Our Way to Stability (B Obama)

In South Korea, President Lee Myung-bak and I will work to complete a trade pact that could be worth tens of billions of dollars in increased exports and thousands of jobs for American workers. Other nations like Canada and members of the European Union are pursuing trade pacts with South Korea, and American businesses are losing opportunities to sell their products in this growing market. We used to be the top exporter to South Korea; now we are in fourth place and have seen our share of Korea’s imports drop in half over the last decade.

--We leave you with several columns worth reading 

Tony Clements thrives on being the Teflon man (Ibbitson)

Ignatieff's challenge (Citizen)

Harper's G20 baggage (Corcoran)

When ideological purity goes out the window (Simpson)

Come north, Mr. Obama, and you'll get to chill out (Freed)

But what does it mean for Canada? (Frum)

Walkom: Political gridlock in the U.S. threatens us too

Reaction of Marois to PQ critics smells of overkill (MACPHERSON)

Campbell's departure doesn't solve dilemma of what to do with HST (McInnes)

Province will need 6,000 years to spend $2B carbon-capture money  (Thomson)

Dana Milbank - Would we be better off under a President Hillary Clinton?

The Grizzly Manifesto (COLLINS)

Andrew Grice: Miliband is preparing for the Coalition's end. He's in for a long wait

--We begin with Her Majesty’s Representative in Canada Afghanistan

Johnston heading home after visiting troops in Kandahar

The 69-year-old former academic distanced himself from his old life as he donned combat fatigues for the first time to tour Canada’ war zone in Afghanistan.

It was something David Johnston had said he was unlikely to do.

--What the Star is reporting on our troops

Tories’ secret Afghan casualty list revealed

--What the Globe is reporting

Ottawa will spend $300-million to close Camp Mirage

--What the WS Journal is reporting

Pakistan al Qaeda Aids Yemen Plots

--What Le Devoir is reporting on child soldiers

Le Canada dépense 18 millions $ pour réintégrer les Khadr de ce monde

--What CP is reporting on a departing federal minister

Ministerial resignations an old leadership play

The transcript of his resignation statement went out to the media Thursday from Spotlight Strategies, with the contact name of Jason Hatcher — the fellow who ran communications for Prentice when he campaigned for the Progressive Conservative party leadership in 2003. The p.r. firm is headed by longtime conservative backroomer Susan Elliott.

--We bring you a great moment in Canadian journalism

CBC - Tory MP's name appears in offshore tax probe

Tory MP’s former employer targeted by CRA - Globe and Mail

--Look who else is a media critic!

N.L. premier expecting gutter politics

Williams took shots at several national media outlets, especially the Globe and Mail and the National Post newspapers, for their reporting on his leadership.

He said when he takes a stand on behalf of his province the coverage is very different from that given counterparts like Brad Wall of Saskatchewan.

--From the west coast, we follow with a great moment in Canadian politics

B.C. Liberals would have a better chance without Campbell, poll shows

Only 6 per cent of British Columbians would vote Liberal in the next election if Mr. Campbell were party leader, according to the survey taken this week before he announced his resignation.

--Attention now shifts to the Dippers

NDP leader Carole James expects quick election call

--What La Presse is reporting

Expo 2017: Ottawa would be generous with Edmonton

Ottawa would contribute at least $600 million of the $2.3 billion budget…if it wins the Fair in two years, this would allow Québec to cite the precedent for funding its « multi-purpose amphitheatre »

--We follow with a great moment in US politics

House Democrats call on Pelosi to leave leadership

GOP grapples with how to reward tea partiers

--What the W Post is reporting on the climate in Washington

Obama shifting climate strategy after GOP gains

The new Congress will usher in an unprecedented number of lawmakers who question the link between human activity and global warming. As a result, the Obama administration is abandoning its two-year quest to convince the public and lawmakers that global warming is a matter of scientific urgency. Instead, the president is talking about nuclear power use, natural gas exploitation and sales of electric cars.

--What the WS Journal is reporting on the climate abroad

Obama Faces Chillier Reception Abroad

two years ago in London, Mr. Obama and his economic team were greeted at the G-20 summit as something akin to rock stars. At the G-20 in Seoul next week, "they're not going to have a lot of allies," said Alan Auerbach, an economist at the University of California, Berkeley, who has close ties to the White House.

On some economic issues, the trip will play out as Mr. Obama against the world, with the U.S. president as one of the last adherents to Keynesian economic policies, which promote the use of deficit spending and tax cuts to spur economic growth.

--What the Guardian is reporting on climate change

UN report warns of threat to human progress from climate change

The United Nations warned today that a continued failure to tackle climate change was putting at risk decades of progress in improving the lives of the world's poorest people.

In its annual flagship report on the state of the world, the UN said unsustainable patterns of consumption and production posed the biggest challenge to the anti-poverty drive.

"For human development to become truly sustainable, the close link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions needs to be severed," the UN said in its annual human development report (HDR).

--What Peggy observes in the Prez

Peggy Noonan: Americans Vote for Maturity

"This wet blanket, this occupier of the least interesting corner of the faculty lounge, this joy-free zone, this inert gas." By the end I was certain he will never produce a successful stimulus because he is a human depression.

Actually I thought the worst thing you can say about a president: that he won't even make a good former president.

His detachment is so great, it is even from himself. As he spoke, he seemed to be narrating from a remove. It was like hearing the audiobook of Volume I of his presidential memoirs.

--The columns I wish I’d written

Midwest at Dusk  (Brooks)

Palin's questionable embrace (Gerson)

--I leave you with several others worth reading

Economic chauvinism in 2010? Barking mad!  (Bliss)

The potash decision: Two and a half cheers for Tony Clement (Newman)

‘Crime and security’ in a rough-and-tumble riding  (Simpson)

Repelling the best and the brightest (National Post)

It is broken, so fix it (Robson)

Goar: Health-care system due for a checkup

Harper loses his best political fixer (Martin)

Sidelined by PM, Prentice moves on (Ivison)

Quitting could be step toward leadership bid for Prentice

Banking on his future | L Ian MacDonald

Charest dogged by ethics issues (LEGAULT)

Premier may be going, but not for some time  (Palmer)

Lame-duck premier should quit now  (Smyth)

The Focus Hocus-Pocus  (KRUGMAN)

A return to the norm (Krauthammer)

--We begin today with a great moment in Canadian journalism

POTASH DEAL PASSES TEST (National Post, Tuesday)

OTTAWA BLOCKS BHP BID (National Post, Thursday)

--Speaking of great moments in journalism

Maureen Harper critique le président iranien

--And who says hubby Steve has no sense of humour!

Putin to Bush: My dog is bigger than yours

--Speaking of Dubya, I'll bet you didn't know this

Bush says in memoir he approved waterboarding

--What the Globe is reporting on the big bail-out

--Speaking personally of home, what the Post reports in a squib

Former B.C. conflict of interest commissioner Ted Hughes is suing Bill Vander Zalm, alleging the former premier defamed him in his autobiography. Mr. Hughes claimed that Bill Vander Zalm: For the People, which was published in November 2008, contains false, malicious and defamatory statements.

--Speaking of coming home

Khadr a bigger threat than Williams: poll

Meanwhile, Le Devoir is reporting ...

Le retour d'Omar Khadr fait grincer des dents les conservateurs |

La décision du gouvernement fédéral d'accepter que Khadr purge au Canada les sept dernières années de sa peine fait ainsi grincer des dents les troupes conservatrices. «Je ne vois pas pourquoi il ne pourrait pas purger sa peine aux États-Unis», a indiqué le député Tim Uppal (Alberta).

Plusieurs de ses collègues interceptés dans les corridors du parlement ont fait écho à cette interrogation. «Habituellement, quand vous êtes reconnu coupable d'un crime dans un pays, vous purgez votre peine dans ce pays», a dit Rob Bruinooge (Manitoba)….

«Je ne suis pas sûr qu'il reviendra un jour», a lancé le député Jim Abbott (Colombie-Britannique), membre du comité spécial sur la mission canadienne en Afghanistan.

Interrogé sur la question de savoir s'il est à l'aise avec l'idée que Khadr puisse un jour purger sa peine au pays, M. Abbott a refusé de répondre. «C'est une question hypothétique», a-t-il dit. Le député ontarien Dean Del Maestro a aussi indiqué qu'«un transfert est un privilège, pas un droit».

--Continuing with the theme of coming home, what the W Post is reporting

The degree of difficulty rises for Obama agenda

The biggest losers in the midterm elections were moderate Democrats who were the staunchest backers of the adminstration's Afghanistan policy. Their defeat will yield a Democratic caucus that is significantly more antiwar. The Obama administration will, in turn, probably be forced to depend more heavily on Republicans, who have generally backed the overall strategy in Afghanistan.

--What the is WSJ reporting on Afstan

NATO Seeks Unity on Afghanistan Transition

Coalition commanders in Afghanistan are pushing for a show of unity at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Portugal this month, concerned about the pressure by some European allies to speed up transition to Afghan control and leave.

The U.S. and the NATO headquarters in Kabul oppose naming at the Lisbon summit Nov. 19-20 any Afghan provinces or districts that would move to Afghan security control next year. Releasing location names ahead of time, one senior coalition official said, would "paint a bull's-eye" on these areas, inviting Taliban attacks.

Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa said last month that his country, which commands coalition forces in western Afghanistan, would like to hand over the western Herat province to Afghan troops within the next year, bringing Italian combat soldiers home. France's defense minister, Herve Morin, said last week that Paris hopes to transfer the French-controlled district of Surobi in Kabul province, where the French troops have managed to roll back the insurgency….

Military officials in Kabul insist that despite the departure of the Netherlands and Canada, the coalition remains solid.

--What the NY Times is reporting from Washington

Obama and Republicans Vow Cooperation, but Deep Divisions Remain

More conciliatory than contrite, Mr. Obama used that phrase, “take responsibility,” six times but rejected the suggestion that his policies were moving the country in the wrong direction. He conceded that legislation to limit greenhouse gases was dead and said he was “absolutely” willing to negotiate over the extension of tax cuts, including for the wealthy. But he drew the line at any major retreat from signature priorities, saying he would agree to “tweak” his health care program, not “relitigate arguments” over its central elements.

While Republicans also called for more cooperation, they suggested that Democrats might not have fully absorbed the lessons of their drubbing.

--The columns I wish I’d written

Walkom: Potash decision is about politics and cartel pricing

New leader will be locked in to predetermined course (Palmer)

Politicians minimize, rationalize accepting 'gifts' from lobbyists (Braid)

Election results are open to (careful) interpretation (Balz)

--Other columns worth reading

PM's new chief of staff needs to cut business ties (Gazette)

Campbell ended bickering that dogged B.C.-Ottawa relations (Yaffe)

Language report stirs polarized reaction

--We get read mail...

Mining bill needed tweaking  (Ignatieff)

--We follow with a great moment in Alberta governance

Tory MLAs defend taking freebies

Finance Minister Ted Morton, who accepted a salmon fishing trip from billionaire businessman Fred Mannix, said he followed all the rules and would do it again.

"Frankly, I think it's a good idea for ministers of the government to spend time with people that are influential, find out what they're thinking," he said. "I've done exactly what the ethics commissioner requires," he said as he walked away from reporters.

Followed by this great moment in US politics

In memoir, Bush says he considered dropping Cheney from 2004 ticket

For Obama, Tide Turns, Starkly

Thirty-seven percent of voters in exit polls on Tuesday said they cast their vote to express opposition to Mr. Obama, compared with 24 percent who said they were trying to support him — almost identical to the numbers for Mr. Bush four years ago.

--All you need to know about the US elections

both Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush saw what can happen when the other side gets subpoena power. Legitimate oversight and political fishing expeditions can both take their toll.

Once again, the voters demand a new start

It took four decades of Democratic control before voters turned over the House to Newt Gingrich (Ga.) and his band of Republican revolutionaries in 1994. A mere 12 years after that, Democrats won back control. And now, just four years later, Republicans have seized it again.

Voters, GOP pollster Bill McInturff said, "are going to keep throwing people out until they get it right."

GOP seizes control of House, as economy drives party gains

for the first time in eight decades, the House changed hands without the Senate following suit.

And this

Though the economy was at the top of voters' concerns, the Obama administration invested much of its energy - and political capital - in transforming the health-care system, making an unsuccessful attempt to pass climate change legislation and in grappling with such crises as the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Those diversions cost the Democrats dearly. An early read of exit polls suggests that voters who were most worried about the economy were also the ones who swung the hardest in favor of the GOP.

And while Democrats argued that the bailout of the financial system and their economic stimulus package helped prevent an even worse catastrophe, the election results showed they never convinced voters of that.

Obama coalition frays amid voter angst

•Independents nationwide supported Republicans by a 15 percentage-points margin, according to the exit polls. Four years earlier, they had backed congressional Democrats by 18 points — a swing of a stunning 33 points.

•Women, traditionally a mainstay for Democrats, were equally likely to vote for GOP candidates for the first time in at least three decades. Four years ago, they had backed Democrats by 12 points.

•Seniors, the age group most skeptical of the health care law, moved to the GOP. Those 65 and older split between the two parties in 2008 but backed Republicans by 19 points this time.

Older voters also turned out, boosting their clout in a year in which turnout was down. Two years ago, 16% of the electorate was 65 and older. This year, the age group made up about 25% of voters.

•Middle-class Americans turned toward Republicans. Those with family incomes of $50,000 to $75,000 a year had supported congressional Democrats by 5 points in 2008; now they backed Republicans by 6.

Voters with only a high school education did the same. In 2008, they supported Democrats by 12 points. Tuesday, they backed the GOP by 6.

--Finally, we bring you two California moments

Voters reject Prop. 23, keeping California's global warming law intact [Updated]|

Prop. 19 headed to defeat, exit polls show (Marijuana)

--What CP is reporting on Afstan

Afghan Offensive Pushes Militants to Kandahar

"Nobody wants to work with me—they're all afraid," said Kandahar Mayor Hamid Haidari, sitting in his office in the unlit, nearly deserted municipal building amid a recent power blackout. "Everyone wants to stay alive." Mr. Haidari himself kept away from the office for 10 days last month after a warning that he would be targeted by a Taliban suicide bomber.

This climate of fear clashes with optimistic assessments by coalition and Afghan commanders, who say intensive military operations over the past two months have dealt a major blow to the Taliban in this southern province, the focus of President Barack Obama's troop surge.

--The WS Journal is reporting a different picture

Afghan Offensive Pushes Militants to Kandahar

"Nobody wants to work with me—they're all afraid," said Kandahar Mayor Hamid Haidari, sitting in his office in the unlit, nearly deserted municipal building amid a recent power blackout. "Everyone wants to stay alive." Mr. Haidari himself kept away from the office for 10 days last month after a warning that he would be targeted by a Taliban suicide bomber.

This climate of fear clashes with optimistic assessments by coalition and Afghan commanders, who say intensive military operations over the past two months have dealt a major blow to the Taliban in this southern province, the focus of President Barack Obama's troop surge.

--What the Star is reporting

Canadian police officers walk the Kandahar beat

--What the W Post is reporting

Afghan government falters in Kandahar

--What the Citizen is reporting

Early end to Afghan combat mission

Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan is to rapidly begin winding down as much as three months before a July 1, 2011, deadline set by the House of Commons.

Citing the Dutch army's pullout from Uruzgan province this year as a guide, the U.S. general who is the outgoing director of operations for the war in Kandahar said he expects Canada's battle group in Panjwaii to start handing over combat duties some time in April to an as yet unnamed coalition brigade….

The July 1 exit deadline that was agreed upon by parliamentarians three years ago could not have come at a worse time of the year for NATO. In their rush to leave Kandahar, the MPs did not consider that a deadline of March or April or November or December would have been a far wiser choice.

As it is, the transition is to occur at the height of the traditional fighting season, putting additional risks and burdens on departing and incoming forces who are especially vulnerable during such times. However, there was a chance that next summer might be relatively uneventful, Hodges said, alluding to a growing feeling here that the insurgency in this corner of Afghanistan may have suffered a mortal blow recently.

--What the Globe is reporting on our defensive mother countries

Britain, France sign military co-operation pact (Globe)

--What the Independent is reporting on the same mothers

Sarkozy launches new era with gaffe (Independent)

--We leave you with some columns worth reading

Potash is an emotional issue in Saskatchewan (MACDONALD)

Hebert: Unrest among provinces hits new heights under Harper

Potash and the misbegotten fear of recolonization (Globe)

Ivison: Opposition sharpening their pitchforks for much-smarter Nigel Wright 

Goar: Private medicine comes to Parliament Hill

Walkom: Politics of anger? Not in Canada (yet)

A tempest in Toronto's teapot  (Simpson)

What Ford can teach Harper (Gunter)

Mallick: War crimes trials — from tragedy to farce

Crown lawyers will be under scrutiny in Frank Paul inquiry (Mulgrew)

Bad news for Obama might not be so bad for Canada (Yaffe)

Republican Party Time (DOWD)

Crowing at Fox News (Milbank)

The next one matters more (Dionne)

The Four-Year Majority - WSJ

What now? (W Post)

Mr. Ban Pulls His Punches With China – NY Times

NOVEMBER 2

--We begin with a great UN moment

Secretary General Ignores Pleas to Ask China to Free Nobel Peace Prize Winner

--We follow with today's great moment in PostMedia journalism

Half of Canadians oppose Khadr's return (Ed Journal)

Canadians split over Khadr's return: poll (Gazette)

--What the National Post leaves out of its report

Canadians divided about returning Khadr to Canada: poll

A majority of Canadians in Atlantic Canada (61%), Saskatchewan and Manitoba (59%) as well as in Quebec (57%) said they want him to return to Canada, while a majority of Albertans (58%), British Columbians (54%) and Ontarians (52%) said they do not believe Khadr should serve any part of his sentence in the country.

-- Speaking of squaring with the facts…

Khadr deal: Ottawa’s denial not believable – the star

Ottawa made the plea deal possible by assuring the U.S. that we would “favourably consider” allowing Khadr to serve out his sentence here. There was a formal, detailed understanding. Cannon’s claims of non-involvement can’t be squared with the facts.

Here’s the quotation as written

“the Government of Canada is inclined to favourably consider Mr. Khadr's application”

--Worth reading

Briefing for federal cabinet: U.S., not Asia, remains top key to economic future

Documents show feds expected fewer vet claims

Feds deny liability in security certificate lawsuit

Early Parcels Sent to U.S. Were Eyed as Dry Run

--I’ll bet you didn’t know

Civilian deaths caused by allied forces rose in 2010, internal statistics show

U.S. bases shifting to Afghan control

--What La Presse is reporting on the Quebecois  nation

Duceppe montré du doigt

La fronde contre Pauline Marois vient essentiellement du Bloc québécois et a été organisée avec l’appui tacite de l’entourage de Gilles Duceppe, accuse le président sortant du Comité national des jeunes du Parti québécois (CNJPQ).

« La première version de la lettre était nettement proDuceppe. Leur jeu est un peu dévoilé. Si les membres du cabinet de M. Duceppe étaient au courant de la première lettre, pourquoi n’ont-ils pas fait de pression supplémentaire pour aider Mme Marois ? »

--Er, welcome to Canada, John

Hydro lines drawn in provincial dispute (Ivison)

a government that genuinely believed in making the federation work more effectively, not to mention saving Canadian taxpayers billions of dollars, would demand that Quebec open up its transmission lines.

Contrast this mess to the situation in Europe, where the European Union has stepped in to remove barriers to cross-border exchanges in electricity. New regulations mean transmission system operators are obliged to take new generation and compensation is paid by the operators of the national systems from which cross-border flows originate.

If 27 sovereign states can reach agreement on a system that forgoes protectionism and monopolistic market dominance, in exchange for more competition and lower consumer prices, why can't Canada? Quebecers should be embarrassed.

--We bring you a great moment in defence procurement

Pentagon’s F-35 Fighter Could Face Higher Costs

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the nation’s most expensive arms program, could face additional costs and delays beyond those that prompted the Pentagon to overhaul the effort earlier this year, an industry consultant said Monday.

--Er, the election is today guys (and gals)

Electoral race in Alaska heats up  (Globe)

--What the WS Journal is reporting on next week's G-20

U.S. Manages Expectations for G-20 Talks

The U.S. doesn't expect to resolve global tensions over China's currency policy or reach a final accord on economic imbalances at the Group of 20 industrialized and developing nations leaders' summit next week, White House and U.S. Treasury officials said Monday.

--From the west coast, we bring you a great moment in governance

Liberals cry foul over Sears' pledge to refund HST

Sears Canada is offering to refund the HST to consumers who buy certain major items before next fall if a referendum leads to the tax being repealed by the end of next September.

But Finance Minister Colin Hansen said Monday his government has warned Sears that its program may be illegal, as it could be seen under the Recall and Initiative Act as providing an inducement for people to vote a certain way.

--Cry me a river

Morton says imposition of HST on Albertans 'unfair' taxation

On Monday in question period, Morton noted there has been fallout for Albertans, especially those purchasing mutual funds and other financial services.

In many cases, HST costs are being passed onto consumers, even if they don't live in a province with the harmonized tax.

--More great moments from back East

One in four Tory MLAs accepted freebies in 2009

Finance Minister Ted Morton and MLA Doug Elniski both went salmon fishing.

Morton was the minister responsible for wildlife management when he to travelled to the Queen Charlotte Islands to fish with constituent Fred Mannix, a builder and philanthropist from one of the wealthiest families in Canada. Mannix family companies contributed nearly $17,000 to the Tory party in 2009.

“We focused on conservation efforts in Alberta and British Columbia,” Morton said, noting Mannix is a big supporter of Ducks Unlimited and that three other conservation organizations attended the trip. “We were comparing notes on fish habitat restoration,” he said.

Morton also attended the Prentice-Ames Charity Golf Tournament with tickets provided by Conoco Phillips.

Elniski travelled to the Painter’s Lodge in Campbell River, B.C., a premier salmon fishing destination visited by the likes of Bing Crosby, Goldie Hawn and the Prince of Luxembourg, according its website.

Elniski told The Journal he was invited by Hemisphere Engineering but paid for his own flight and accommodations; the ethics commissioner’s report says room and board were “provided by Hemisphere Engineering.”

Gov't moves to assume carbon-capture liability

The Alberta government introduced legislation Monday that would see the province assume long-term liability for carbon dioxide pumped underground in the province.

--We leave you with a few columns worth reading

POTASH DEAL PASSES TEST (Martin)

The anti-potash coalition: undermining investment - Globe and Mail

Travers: Khadr case hands terrorists unearned victory

Khadr fight was thrown | Ezra Levant

A party of one (MACPHERSON)

Any hope I had in the ballot box bringing change in Afstan is gone | Malalai Joya

Dorothy Rabinowitz: Why Obama Is No Roosevelt

Michael Gerson - Political blips, disguised as 'eras'

Eugene Robinson - What's behind the Tea Party's ire?

Richard Cohen - Sarah Palin: Ms. Conspiracy for president?

Lessons of Reagan's Rebound (Seib)

The Second Marriage  (BROOKS)

Get Bold, Barack  (COHEN)