Blair for EU President?

Staff / Truthdig Jul 15, 2009 Tony Blair has apparently set his sights across the English Channel, as he is a contender to become the first president of the European Union. While he has yet to officially announce his candidacy, the British government has already declared its support for Blair, and he is seen as a front-runner for the position. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Lobbying For Privacy 2.0

Staff / Truthdig Jun 26, 2009 If a movie written about Facebook by Aaron Sorkin wasn't enough, the fast-growing social networking site is in the midst of hiring lobbyists in both Washington and Brussels to push for easing privacy regulations, no matter how well-meaning those restrictions may be, "that would keep people from the beneficial sharing of information." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Dutch Rightists Score in Elections

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2009 Exit polls show the notoriously anti-immigrant Dutch politician Geert Wilders gaining 15 percent of the vote and second place in elections for the European Parliament in the Netherlands -- even as he faces prosecution on charges of inciting hatred in his speeches. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Europe on the Downslide

Staff / Truthdig May 4, 2009 Well, it’s official: The European economy is in gloomier territory than previously believed. EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia announced Monday that member economies will shrink by 4% this year, likely taking a further plunge of 0.1% in 2010. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

GM Is Europe’s Headache, Too

Staff / Truthdig Mar 6, 2009 If GM strikes out in Washington, the automaker could take its troubles to Europe, the second continent where it has asked for a bailout. That's because GM operates plants in six European countries, to the tune of 300,000 jobs. The company is hoping for good news, especially since its auditors announced it may not survive much longer. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Fighting Pirates in the 21st Century

Staff / Truthdig Oct 2, 2008 Piracy has gotten so bad off the coast of Somalia that the European Union is prepared to form an anti-piracy force to police the region. The unresolved seizure of a freighter loaded with Russian tanks is the most recent in a spate of incidents involving more than 60 vessels and $30 million in ransom so far this year. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Putin: Russia ‘Not Against Anybody’

Staff / Truthdig Sep 13, 2008 At a meeting in Moscow on Thursday with a group of international Russia experts, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin gave an extensive explanation of his country's point of view vis-à-vis the recent clash between Russia and Georgia. He made it clear that he believes the conflict was seriously, and even deliberately, misrepresented by the Western media. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Europe Discards Cuba Sanctions

Staff / Truthdig Jun 20, 2008 As a symbolic gesture, the European Union has lifted sanctions against Cuba. The United States was irked by the decision, which had no practical effect since the sanctions have been suspended for years. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Spin Control With Your Host, President Sarkozy

Staff / Truthdig Apr 25, 2008 French President Nicolas Sarkozy strode into office a year ago after talking big about economic growth, but by early 2008 he complained that "the till's already empty" -- as he sported flashy accessories and stepped out with an even flashier new partner, Carla Bruni. Now, "Sarko" is doing crisis management and offering apologies for his past mistakes. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Serbian PM Dissolves Parliament

Staff / Truthdig Mar 9, 2008 Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica dissolved his country's parliament Saturday and said he would request new elections for May 11. The action followed a conflict between Kostunica and pro-Western President Boris Tadic on how Kosovo's independence affects Serbia's quest for membership in the European Union. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

EU Leaders Balk at Bush’s New Flight Plan

Staff / Truthdig Feb 11, 2008 The skies won't seem so friendly to Europeans looking to travel to the U.S. soon if President Bush's list of new security demands is implemented despite the resistance and outrage it has sparked among EU officials, whose countrymen will encounter additional headaches if their leaders don't get with Bush's program. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Ukraine Power Struggle Escalates

Staff / Truthdig May 26, 2007 For months now, Ukrainian President Viktor Yuschenko and Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych have been at loggerheads, but their tug-of-war has gotten more intense in the last 48 hours. On Friday, Yanukovych declared that the "use of force scenario" was underway as Yuschenko threatened to take charge of 40,000 troops, the BBC reports. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )