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16 Sep 2011 00:19

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World: There’s something world leaders don’t say every day

  • Berlusconi’s back: In a move that probably won’t help German-Italian relations, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was caught on tape referring to German Chancellor Angela Merkel as an “unf@#kable lard-ass.” These are harsh words from the lothario Berlusconi; while he’s admitted to being “a bit mischievous” with his sexual exploits, he’s also insisted that he treats women with the utmost respect. Hopefully this won’t spark an international crisis (Reuters photo). source
Posted by Seth Millstein • 0 Comments • Permalink

07 Sep 2011 10:22

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World: Angela Merkel sticks to her fiscal guns amidst hostile political environment

  • We must make it very clear to people that the current problem, namely of excessive debt built up over decades, cannot be solved in one blow, with things like euro bonds or debt restructurings that will suddenly make everything okay. No, this will be a long, hard path, but one that is right for the future of Europe.
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel • Arguing, amidst much jeering from leftist opposition parties, that Europe needs to change the way it approaches its growing debt crisis. Merkel argues for long-term fundamental change. “I’m convinced that this crisis, if a great crisis of the western world is to be avoided,” she said, “cannot be fought with a ‘carry on’ attitude. We need a fundamental rethink.” Merkel is facing a parliamentary vote later this month that could prove a great threat to her power, and her party is sinking in the polls right now. She suffered a setback earlier in the day after a court put strict limitations requiring her to get approval from lawmakers to grant future bailout aid to other European countries. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Feb 2011 16:56

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World: About time: Obama finally says Gaddafi must leave office

  • The President stated that when a leader’s only means of staying in power is to use mass violence against his own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now.
  • A statement from the White House • Revealing the phrasing Obama used in a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It’s the first time Obama has addressed directly that Gaddafi is the problem. The statement continued by directly name-dropping the Libyan president: “The leaders reaffirmed their support for the Libyan people’s demand for universal rights and a government that is responsive to their aspirations, and agreed that Gaddafi’s government must be held accountable.” The two countries plan to work on a diplomatic response to the issue of Libya, which both believe is necessary. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Nov 2010 11:11

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Biz, World: Ireland getting peer pressure to take bailouts to ease debt

  • Anyone know where Ireland can find 15 billion euros by Tuesday? The country of potato bread and U2 (to grossly oversimplify) needs some extra money to allay fears of other, fiscally stronger European countries, such as Germany, as well as to calm local markets, which went haywire on Friday on debt concerns. Ireland denies the need for an immediate bailout (despite a banking system in tatters), but outside sources, such as Barclay’s Capital, suggest that the country could need €80 billion (or $110 billion) in bailouts between 2011 and 2013. German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that political needs (including her own) may be in play. “There may be a conflict here between the interests of the financial world and the interests of politicians,” she said. One source suggests the possibility of an Irish default could hurt her crisis-resolution plans. Meanwhile, Ireland plans to release a budget next month it hopes will ease debt concerns. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

03 Nov 2010 21:10

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World: Greece stops overseas air mail ’cause THEY KEEP MAILING BOMBS

  • 48 hours until they consider mailing another package overseas
  • bad Two Greek dudes were arrested earlier this week for trying to send a parcel bomb to French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Yikes.
  • worse A package addressed to Italian president Silvio Berlusconi blew up at an Italian airport. Yeah, you guessed it –the package came from Greece.
  • worst Another mail bomb showed up AT THE OFFICE of German chancellor Angela Merkel. Also from Greece. Crap. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

26 Jul 2010 10:05

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World: Love Parade tragedy: Angela Merkel promises “intensive” investigation

  • The organisers have said themselves that they will not hold any more Love Parades but such large events need to be made safe and the federal states of course have the required police forces to do this.
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel • Regarding this weekend’s tragic Love Parade incident, which she says her government needs to get to the bottom of to figure out what happened. “It now needs to be very intensively investigated as to how this happened because the many young people who were delighted to be going to the event have had… terrible memories and we have to do everything to make sure that something like this does not happen again,” she said. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 May 2010 10:02

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World: German president Horst Köhler resigns, we get to use “ö” in a story

  • A country of our size, with its focus on exports and thus reliance on foreign trade, must be aware that military deployments are necessary in an emergency to protect our interests, for example, when it comes to trade routes, for example, when it comes to preventing regional instabilities that could negatively influence our trade, jobs and incomes.
  • German president Horst Köhler • In the statement that led to the downfall of his presidency. The quote suggested that Germany was in Afghanistan for economic reasons, which might’ve been a little too true for some. Now Köhler is out, which isn’t as big a deal as it sounds. Chancellor Angela Merkel wears the pantsuit in this relationship and the German president is merely a ceremonial position. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

28 Sep 2009 00:53

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World: Germany’s Angela Merkel is having another go as chancellor

  • We can really celebrate tonight, but afterwards we have a hard job ahead of us.
  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel • Who was elected to a second term on Sunday. Despite the win, things are a bit different this time around. Merkel’s CDU/CSU voting bloc lost a partner in the Social Democrats (SPD), who bombed hard in the election (thanks to the recession) and had their worst result in decades. Merkel’s bloc will likely work closely with the liberal Free Democrats (FDP). All that wheeling and dealing and economic recovery takes work. So no partying after tonight. We know you like your beer, Germany, but now isn’t the time. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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