Western Europe
Low turnout in Egyptian presidential elections
By Johannes Stern, May 25, 2012
The initial round of the first presidential elections in Egypt after the revolutionary ouster of long-time US-stooge Hosni Mubarak, on May 23-24, was marked by low turnout and numerous electoral violations.
French election: The Left Front’s Mélenchon stands against neo-fascist Marine Le Pen
By Francis Dubois, May 25, 2012
The Left Front announced on May 15 that Jean-Luc Mélenchon would stand against the neo-fascist Marine Le Pen in Hénin-Beaumont in the legislative elections.
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, one of the great vocal artists of the 20th century, dies at 86
By Dorian Griscom, May 25, 2012
The German baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau was renowned for his interpretations of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms songs, but his repertoire included opera and oratorio as well.
Greece: French Left Front backs SYRIZA’s appeal to the banks
By Antoine Lerougetel, May 25, 2012
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the Left Front (FG) candidate in last month's French presidential elections hosted a meeting in Paris on Monday with Alexis Tsipras, the leader of Greece’s Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA).
SYRIZA leader Tsipras in Berlin
By Christoph Dreier, May 24, 2012
Tsipras stressed that his party was in no way dismissive or even hostile to EU institutions, and that Greece under his rule would not leave the EU.
Europe’s leaders at loggerheads at EU summit as markets tumble
By Stefan Steinberg, May 24, 2012
European leaders in Brussels failed to agree on any concrete measures to deal with the continent’s rapidly worsening economic crisis.
UK TalkTalk call centre set to close
By our correspondent, May 24, 2012
Nearly 400 jobs are set to be lost at the major UK telecom company TalkTalk.
Quebec student strike:
Police begin to apply draconian Bill 78
By Keith Jones, May 24, 2012
Quebec authorities have begun to make use of the sweeping repressive powers contained in Bill 78—the emergency legislation the provincial Liberal government rushed through the National Assembly late last week to suppress the province-wide student strike
Baghdad talks on Iran’s nuclear program unresolved
By Peter Symonds, May 24, 2012
Sharp differences emerged after the US and its allies unveiled proposals requiring major concessions by Iran, but offering little in return.
The pseudo-left unmasked in Greece
By Alex Lantier, May 24, 2012
It has taken only a few days since the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) became the front-runner in Greece’s June 17 elections for the bankruptcy of its politics to become clear.
Australia: Bowen Basin coal miners resume strike action
By Richard Phillips, May 24, 2012
Miners at Bowen Basin pits in Queensland have walked out in dispute over a new enterprise agreement.
Mass unemployment and poverty fuel ethnic tensions in Macedonia
By Paul Mitchell, May 23, 2012
The resurgence of ethnic tensions in Macedonia and the ability of nationalist politicians to mobilise large numbers of demonstrators are fuelled by the terrible social conditions in the country.
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