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Breffni O'Rourke

Also by Breffni O'Rourke

April 08, 2013
Obituary: Margaret Thatcher, Britain's 'Iron Lady'

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher -- the so-called Iron Lady -- has died. Arguably the strongest female politician in Britain since Queen Elizabeth I some five centuries ago, Thatcher always radiated an aura of confidence as she made her way to the top in international politics.
November 28, 2010
WikiLeaks Releases Classified U.S. Documents

The whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks has carried out its plans to release some 250,000 diplomatic cables.
October 08, 2010
Competitive Devaluation Of Currencies Seen As Looming Danger

As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank hold their annual meetings in Washington, a pressing problem they will discuss is the possibility of a wave of competitive currency devaluations.
August 30, 2010
Poland Celebrates 30th Anniversary Of Solidarity

Poland is marking the 30th anniversary of the Gdansk accords, which gave rise to the Solidarity trade union -- the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc. Solidarity is credited with being a key instrument in the fall of communism throughout Eastern Europe.
August 19, 2010
Russia, Armenia To Sign Defense Pact

Armenia and Russia have signed a deal extending Russia's military presence in Armenia in exchange for security guarantees.
June 16, 2010
China Seeking Major Investments In Greece, But Why Now?

China is planning major investments in debt-stricken Greece. A Chinese delegation to Athens led by Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang has signed deals worth billions of euros in shipping, logistics, and tourism projects.
May 05, 2010
British Election May Lead To Shattering Of Traditional Two-Party System

Britain's parliamentary election on May 6 may mark the beginning of the end of the two-party electoral system that has long been the norm in British politics.
April 28, 2010
Global Stocks Slump As Greek Financial Crisis Worsens

Stock prices around the world have fallen following a decision by the Standard & Poor's rating agency to cut Greece's credit rating to the level of "junk." Analysts say this is a sign that the Greek financial crisis is beginning to run out of control, with potential to affect not only the European eurozone economies, but the world at large.
April 27, 2010
Greece At Precipice, Awaits EU-IMF Loan

Time is running out for Greece to gain access to a multibillion-euro loan if it is to avoid default on its international debts.
April 15, 2010
'Haiku Herman' Presents His Poetry To The World

Herman Van Rompuy, the president of the European Union, has taken time off from politics to attend a literary gathering in Brussels marking the publication of his new book of Haiku poetry.
March 30, 2010
Hadron Collider Set To Make Physics History

Europe's Large Hadron Collider, the most expensive piece of scientific machinery in the world, has begun the first of a series of experiments that scientists say will open the door to a new period of discovery for mankind.
March 29, 2010
Germany's Merkel On Delicate Visit To Turkey

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has arrived in Turkey for a two-day visit, which is notable for the number of differences of view she has with her hosts. European Union membership for Turkey, sanctions against Iran, the place of the Turkish diaspora in Germany -- all these topics are seen differently in Ankara and Berlin.
March 09, 2010
Eurozone Ponders IMF-Style Rescue Agency

The Greek financial crisis has spurred other members of the common currency eurozone to think of new ways to prevent the euro falling into chaos. The proposed financial institution would have the power to make emergency loans to struggling members of the eurozone, thus removing the fear of a debt default, which would imperil the stability of the euro.
March 03, 2010
Author Of Critical Kapuscinski Bio Defends His Account Of 'A Complicated Man'

Ryszard Kapuscinski is something of a national hero in Poland, and a writer of high regard in the rest of the world. But now a former colleague, journalist Artur Domoslawski, has published a biography of him which casts a negative light on much of his writing.
March 02, 2010
EU Said To Be Working Behind The Scenes On Greek Assistance Plan

Reports say that the two leading members of the European Union, Germany and France, are working behind the scenes to create a plan to help Greece cope with its financial crisis. The pace of consultations between Athens and European movers and shakers has increased in intensity in the last few days, indicating a decision may be near.
February 16, 2010
Eurozone Dismisses Greek Plea For Safety-Net Plan

Greece's plea for the 16-member eurozone to formulate a definite rescue plan for dangerously indebted member states has fallen on deaf ears.
February 11, 2010
Ex-U.S. Lawmaker Wilson Dead At 76

Former U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson, known for his efforts to fund Afghan mujahedin fighters battling Soviet troops, has died in Texas at the age of 76. As a lawmaker, Wilson was instrumental in helping direct billions of dollars to the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, which distributed funds to buy Afghan fighters sophisticated weapons to use against the Soviet occupiers.
February 03, 2010
Eurozone: Risk Of Contagion Seen From 'Greek Disease'

The EU's single currency, the euro, is facing its most serious test since it came into existence 11 years ago. Officials at the European Commission and at the European Central Bank (ECB) are now pondering how to restore a semblance of balance within the 16-nation eurozone, where a group of five nations is floundering in deep deficits and debt as result of the world financial downturn.
November 25, 2009
UN Says Violence Against Women 'Pervasive' Violation

Today marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women -- a reminder of a problem that the UN says has reached pandemic proportions. Women from across RFE/RL’s broadcast region have shared some of their own harrowing stories of abuse, and in some cases, of escape and recovery.
October 26, 2009
The Best Place In The World To Live? You Might Be Surprised

What's your idea of the best place in which to live? Many people would probably answer that palm trees and a gleaming beach would be a good start to their idea of earthly paradise. But in real life, the country which scores best on a whole range of economic and quality-of-life issues is a good deal colder.

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