Topic: United Kingdom

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Is Europe witnessing 'the end of the dogma of austerity'?

France's finance minister said so this week, just the latest in a growing chorus calling for a change to Brussels' hardline adherence to budget cuts as the solution to Europe's debt crisis.
Chapter & Verse FDR vs. Lindbergh: Lynne Olson discusses America's debate over WWII

'Those Angry Days' examines the battle over whether America should enter the international conflict.
Decoder Wire Why does Prince Harry make Washington swoon? (+video)

Prince Harry, making a visit to the US, interrupted a congressional hearing without attending it. Even Michelle Obama sounded a tad breathless announcing his appearance at a White House Mother’s Day tea.
Prince Harry begins US visit with Michelle, McCain, and moms

Prince Harry's first day in the US included a visit with McCain to a charity supported by his late mother, Princess Diana, as well as events honoring military moms hosted by Michelle Obama.
78,000 to live on Mars: Have you signed up?

78,000 people have applied to live on Mars. Up to 3,000 will make the first cut, and the 28-40 finalists will spend seven years training before 4 finally get selected for a one-way trip to live on Mars.
A 'novel' idea for spreading literature in Africa: The cellphone

Publishers across the continent are increasingly targeting readers with mobile phone apps and other technologies that are far cheaper than either e-readers or traditional books.
A Delicate Truth

John le Carré is still at the top of his game with this heady tale of espionage in the age of the war on terror.
Boycott of Israel is small for now, but gets higher profile with Hawking

Many celebrities have ignored boycott appeals, such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Paul McCartney. Some academics say that the impact of the movement has been overstated.
Bangladesh's factory woes force a rethink in Britain fashion retailers (+video)

Tragedies in Bangladesh, including a deadly fire last night in Dhaka, have given new momentum to British campaigns to improve conditions at foreign factories that supply domestic retailers.
How closely related are we to each other?

If you are of European ancestry, a European stranger could be a not-too-distant relative, a new genetic study suggests. Indeed, all humans share a set of common ancestors who may not be as ancient as you might think.
The Monitor's View In Boston and Cleveland tragedies, a case for more neighborliness

The twin tragedies of the Boston bombings and Cleveland kidnappings reveal a need for those close to would-be perpetrators to both care more and be more alert. Balancing the two isn't always easy.
Global News Blog 'Puppet-master' Putin advisor is shown the Kremlin door

Vladislav Surkov was once one of the president's most influential and deft advisers. His forced resignation suggests the Kremlin may be pursuing blunter ways of manipulating the political landscape.
Chapter & Verse Is the unabridged 'Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl' too much of a good thing?

The unabridged version of 'Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl' includes passages in which Frank writes about her own anatomy – leading to a call for the book's removal from a 7th-grade classroom.
Africa Monitor UK axes aid to South Africa, says it's time for partnership of equals

The UK will eliminate all aid to South Africa by 2015, the government announced this week. But some say Britain isn't done paying for history.
Soccer shocker: Sir Alex Ferguson steps down as manager of Manchester United (+video)

Sir Alex Ferguson managed the Manchester United soccer club for 26 years but sent shock waves through the soccer world today when he announced he'll step down after two more matches.
Donors pledge cash to Somalia to rein in terrorist threat

At a conference in London, international donors said they'd give $350 million to Somalia's new government. Most of the money would go toward beefing up the feeble security sector.
Opinion Syria – another sign that US needs to recalibrate Middle East policy

As the US backs into Syria and other Mideast crises, China is proactively and strategically engaging in the region. Its actions point out what America has to lose if it continues to hesitate in the Middle East.
Focus 'Provoking peace' in Indonesia

Christians and Muslims in Ambon, Indonesia, have relearned how to live together after a 1999 - 2002 war killed 5,000 people and displaced half a million.
All Europeans related? Genes reveal a continent of cousins.

All Europeans are related, sharing a common ancestor as recently as 1,000 years ago, according to a gene study published today.
Notorious Egyptian terror group tries to carve a nonviolent path in politics

Al Gamaa al-Islamiya, which waged a deadly campaign of terror against the government for decades, says it has renounced violence and wants a spot in Egypt's fledgling democracy.
Aye or nae? Scottish teens will vote on independence

When Scotland holds its independence referendum next year, 16- and 17-year-olds will likely have a vote. Nationalists argue they should have a say in a decision that will affect them for decades.
Bangladesh disaster: Can US brands repair their reputations?

Global clothing brands scramble to protect their reputations after the Bangladesh disaster: Some promise to make amends, while others lie about their connection to the factory whose collapse killed over 600 people.
Decoder Wire Sarah Palin's chaw: Why did she wave chewing tobacco during NRA speech? (+video)

Sarah Palin used a tin of chewing tobacco as a visual aid at last weekend's NRA convention in Houston. This follows her sipping from a Big Gulp during her CPAC speech in March.
Helen Mirren: Royal rant against noisy gay drummers (+video)

Helen Mirren, dressed as Queen Elizabeth II, dressed down a noisy parade of gay drummers interrupting her play "The Audience." Helen Mirren used less-than-royal language, reported The Telegraph.
Malaysia's ruling coalition hangs on against winds of change

The coalition that has governed Malaysia since independence managed to hang on in general elections that threatened to upend the status quo, but with possibly its narrowest margin of victory ever.