French democracy has diced with death and again somehow dodged disaster, writes Alan Austin, an Australian freelance journalist based in Nîmes, France.
Politics / The World / Europe
Maley: the rise of Europe’s austerity foes
Financial markets will be on high alert this week after two major political events in Europe on the weekend showed that the eurozone debt crisis is about to embark on a new political phase.
Argentina and its retort to rampant capitalism
In France socialist candidate Francois Hollande is the short-priced favourite to become the country’s president and abandon conservative European views on economic austerity, writes Richard Farmer.
Rundle: pursuit of Assange a product of fraught Swedish sex crime politics
Comparison between the evidence given by Anna Ardin, the complainant attached to the first three accusations, and the legal wording of the key complaint by her against Assange, show that it matches almost word-for-word a paragraph in a high-profile 2009 Amnesty International Report on sex crimes in the Nordic countries.
podcast Canberra Calling: The pigs, doomsayers and sceptics podcast
In a special Melbourne Calling podcast, Bernard Keane and Keshia Jacotine discuss the eurozone crisis, the fiscal compact and whether the EU is as doomed as some sceptics make out.
Richardson: Sarkozy hoping for a miracle in France
Time is running out for Nicolas Sarkozy as France prepares to go to the polls on Sunday.
Richardson: listen to Breivik, the articulate terrorist
Anders Breivik pleaded not guilty on the opening day of his trial in Oslo. He admits the acts, but claims justification. We should listen.
Desperate hunger for political fairness in Russia
In fact, Astrakhan does have its fair share of such tragic, near-death figures, and Oleg Shein is first among them, writes Matthew Clayfield, a freelance correspondent working in Russia.
Putin to back new leadership laws, exempting himself
Set to become Russia’s president for the third time, Vladimir Putin will back new laws that prevent others from ruling from than twice. They won’t, however, apply to him, reports Nataliya Vasilyeva.
As Italian labour reforms come to a head, jobs are hard to find
The Prime Minister’s main focus now is Article 18 of the labour code, which means firms with more than 15 workers cannot sack employees without risking legal action, writes Josephine McKenna, an Australian freelance journalist in Rome.
News Corp’s phone-hacking bill passes $400m … and climbing
The UK phone-hacking scandal has been a half-a-billion-dollar headache for News Corporation already … and the cost is rising.
Crikey Clarifier: why we’re all talking about the Falklands
Britain and Argentina again are at loggerheads over the Falklands, writes Craig Snyder, senior lecturer in international relations at Deakin University.
Rundle: Big Brother’s Respect a sad tune for Labour Muppets
Gorgeous George Galloway, standing under the Respect party banner, won the Bradford West byelection by a stonking majority.
Swan’s budget surplus risks pushing us into recession
To avoid recession, Australia will have to have growth of 3% to 4% over the next 18 months — which is possible, but no certainty.
Why power generators are terrified of solar
In Germany, solar PV is not just licking the cream off the profits of the fossil fuel generators — as happens in Australia with a more modest rollout of PV — it is in fact eating their entire cake, writes Giles Parkinson, of RenewEconomy.
‘Dinner for donors’ means shit sandwich on Cameron’s menu
Well, it is never dull in London, unless you are eating English food.
Fresh hacking claims as more Murdoch dirty laundry aired
The pressure on Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation is increasing following fresh hacking claims made in a BBC Panorama program that aired in Britain this morning.
Will Putin return as a born-again reformer?
Vladmir Putin has remained a steadfast force in Russia but — as he begins his third term as president — the political landscape has changed and he may have little choice other than to embrace reform, writes John Besemeres.
How Irish voters may respond to Euro fiscal treaty
Media coverage of Ireland’s impending vote on the new European fiscal compact took on the tone of “here we go again,” writes Keshia Jacotine, who discusses how voters may respond.
Australia-China currency swap really is a big deal
China has reached agreements on swaps with about 20 countries, but Australia is the biggest and most advanced economy to sign up.
Bartholomeusz: NAB’s British balancing act
For Cameron Clyne, and his colleagues at National Australia Bank conducting its strategic review of its UK banks, Wednesday’s UK budget would have made depressing reading.
How much did French Intel know about Mohamed Merah?
Regarded as one of the most effective security forces in Europe, French Intel are now under scrutiny about how a violent criminal spotted twice in Afghanistan evaded authorities, writes Daniel Flynn.
Terrorism upends France’s election
Eight years on, and another European election campaign has been overshadowed by an act of terrorism.
Rundle: UK Coalition’s world view is through a fun-house mirror
David Cameron’s coalition government has brought in a risky political budget.
