Summit Struggle – Ahead of Wednesday’s crunch E.U. summit, Der Spiegel reports that new French President François Hollande will pressure German Chancellor Angela Merkel to agree to euro bonds, which she has so far strictly …
U.K.
A Royal Party: The Commonwealth Celebrates 60 Years of Queen Elizabeth II
With parades, concerts and even tea with commoners, 86-year-old Queen Elizabeth II and the royals are traversing the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth to commemorate her Diamond Jubilee. In a historic moment in the Northern …
“Dalai should not overestimate his personal value. He is only a tool in the competition between major powers.”
Rebekah Brooks, Husband Charged in Phone-Hacking Scandal
The convoluted saga of the British phone-hacking scandal seems to have been dragging on longer than a back-to-back performance of Wagner’s Ring Cycle. Yet despite the demise of Rupert Murdoch‘s News of the World, the launching of …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 15, 2012
Deal in Nepal – The Kathmandu Post reports that Nepal’s major political parties have agreed to a future form of governance, with executive powers split between a directly elected president and a prime minister elected by parliament. “Negotiators from across party lines said that though the mixed model had some weak points, including a …
Leveson Inquiry: Rebekah Brooks, David Cameron and the Meaning of LOL
Another day, another series of embarrassing disclosures about David Cameron at the inquiry into British media ethics. As former News International executive Rebekah Brooks appeared at the inquiry helmed by Justice Brian Leveson …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 11, 2012
Fruit Flare-Up – China’s turned to a new weapon in its dispute with the Philippines over contested South China Sea islands. State-run People’s Daily gleefully reports that “fruit from the Philippines will receive stricter …
The Prime Minister and the Spin Doctor: Andy Coulson Appears Before Leveson Inquiry
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has already admitted that he, along with many politicians across parties, has gotten far too close to the press. It’s an honest statement but, unfortunately for his credibility, it …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 10, 2012
Pakistani Push-back – In an interview with the Guardian, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani insists his country did not shelter Osama bin Laden and blames global intelligence shortcomings for allowing the late al-Qaeda …
Queen’s Speech the Latest Installment of U.K. Government’s “Coalition Fightback”
On May 4, as it became clear that a resurgent Labour Party had made significant gains at the expense of Britain’s coalition government during nationwide elections, critics began to throw stones at Prime Minister David Cameron. …
Must-Reads Around the World, May 9, 2012
Warring Words – China’s state-run Global Times issues its most threatening commentary yet on the continuing standoff with the Philippines over disputed islands in the South China Sea. Under the headline “Peace Will Be a Miracle …
Must-Reads from Around the World, May 8, 2012
Late-Night Surprise – Israel’s Haaretz reports on the unexpected agreement early Tuesday between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition Kadima Party chairman Shaul Mofaz to form a national unity government. The move …
Boris Johnson Takes London, But Resurgent Labour Wins Big Nationally
Boris Johnson has won his second term as London mayor, defeating challenger Ken Livingstone in a battle that proved far closer than pollsters had anticipated. The loose-lipped incumbent, known for his bumbling as much as his politics, did not secure an outright majority during the first round of voting. But accounting for second …