Europe | GlobalPost

Opinion: West been eating cake too long

HDS GreenwayMay 14, 2010 08:34Updated May 30, 2010 13:33

BOSTON — There is an old joke about what do you do if you don’t know anything about the country being discussed at a dinner party. You simply say: “Yes, but it’s different in the south.” It works for almost any country whether it be Yeman, India, China or the United States. It’s certainly true of Great Britain, where if the Conservative swing in England had only been replicated in Scotland, the Conservatives might have had a clear majority in parliament without the need for coalition government.

Welcoming Central Asia's latest (official) dictator

Miriam ElderMay 13, 2010 08:57

Let's have a round of applause for Nursultan Nazarbayev, president of Kazakhstan. Today, the country's parliament approved constitutional amendments that will give him lifetime immunity from prosecution and the title of "leader of the nation," so that even after (if?) he retires, he'll still have the right to approve policy.

Georgian women seek virginity restoration

Martin TsekovMay 13, 2010 06:26Updated May 30, 2010 13:33

TBILISI, Georgia — Ia Sartania and Tamuna Bibineishvili are slender, 19-year-old blondes. They are gregarious university students who like popular music, rock climbing and spending time with friends. They are not devout churchgoers and consider themselves somewhat liberal. Both of them are single now but hope to wed within a few years.

How David Cameron doesn't represent change

Michael GoldfarbMay 14, 2010 06:41Updated May 30, 2010 13:33

OXFORD, United Kingdom — The British election has finally ended. After a few twists and turns what seemed inevitable a few months ago has come to pass: David Cameron is prime minister. Cameron ran on the simple slogan "Time for Change." And while he might change some things about this country, one thing will stay the same: Oxford University will continue to exercise disproportionate influence on British political life.

The history of French brothels

Mildrade CherfilsMay 11, 2010 19:56Updated May 30, 2010 13:33

Opinion: Lessons of the UK election (so far)

Michael GoldfarbMay 11, 2010 09:19Updated May 30, 2010 13:33

Update: Gordon Brown is no longer British Prime Minister. Per custom he went to Buckingham Palace at around 7:25 p.m. local time to tender his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II. Approximately an hour later, she summoned David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party, and asked him to form a government. Cameron is expected to form a coalition government with the Liberal Democrat party. Details will become clear overnight. Brown has also resigned as leader of the Labour Party marking his departure from front line politics.

Burning the midnight oil pays off for EU leaders

Teri SchultzMay 10, 2010 16:11

Until now, nothing the European Union — even assisted by the International Monetary Fund — has tried against its spreading debt crisis succeeded in improving the value of the euro in currency markets nor in bringing down borrowing prices for debt-ridden governments such as Greece, Portugal and Spain.

Still waiting: but it's getting interesting

Michael GoldfarbMay 10, 2010 13:01

LONDON — Some dramatic developments in Britain's search for a government. Gordon Brown has just announced he is standing down as Labour Party leader. Nick Clegg, leader of the Lib Dems, who has had two days of talks with the Conservatives, has now formally opened talks with the Labour party as well.

On the streets of Athens

Milos BicanskiMay 10, 2010 09:57Updated May 30, 2010 13:32

Ordinary Greeks angry at government and rioters

Nicole ItanoMay 10, 2010 10:09Updated May 30, 2010 13:32

ATHENS, Greece — Outside the charred and blackened Marfin Egnatia Bank branch in central Athens, where three workers met a fiery death during a violent demonstration May 5, an impromptu shrine is growing. Thousands have left flowers, notes, teddy bears and votive candles, expressing their outrage that the protests against financial austerity measures turned deadly. Up and down the street, smashed windows still testify to the violence that rocked the city.