You are currently browsing the EU Australia Online archives for November, 2011.
President Barrack Obama is in Australia to strengthen ties with a close ally of the United States.
TIGHT SCHEDULE
The President began his visit at Canberra 16.11.11 with an official welcome, and 21-gun salute, and after addressing the Australian Parliament was set to fly on to Darwin. … Read More »
The resignation of the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (picture) on the weekend (12.11.11) brought passing satisfaction to the legion of opponents built up over a long period in office, heavily tempered by concern about settling problems ahead for the country. … Read More »
Close to a century since Armageddon, the out-break of the First World War – product of a hoax-diplomatic muddle, industrialisation of weaponry, gross callousness and ineptitude in command of troops – commemorations continue strongly, and globally each 11th November.
REMEMBERING THE FALLEN
Reiterating the record:- The tragedy relented with the signing of an armistice at 11 am on 11 November 1918; the outcome so sour to the losers, demagoguery would triumph, and a new round of hostilities would commence after just 20 years, this time fully extending the horror to civilian populations – ending in the nuclear attacks on Japan. … Read More »
Plusses and minuses:
Julia Gillard (picture, left) back in Canberra welcomed the passage of her government’s climate change legislation, having just got back from the G20, and seeing the soldiers in Afghanistan …
Other Prime Ministers not managing quite so well: George Papandreou, in Greece, contemplates life out of office after agreeing to step down, and Silvio Berlusconi. In Italy, continues his rear-guard action against growing numbers who want him out …
Carlos the jackal, aka Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, terrorist and said one-time beneficiary of the late Muamar al-Gaddafi, faced court on fresh charges in Paris …
… while much more innocuously, Casey Stoner, Australian motorbike rider, savoured a difficult victory in the Valencia MotoGT event, underlining his supremacy as outright champion for the series. … Read More »
Heads of government of the twenty largest economies -G20 – got to business, looking at ways to strengthen the world system, at their meeting in Cannes.
The political eruption in Greece, with the referendum plan that threatened to over-turn agreements on the country’s indebtedness, provided a huge distraction on the first day. … Read More »
Consternation has greeted the announcement by the Greek government (31.10.11) that it plans to have a referendum on accepting its international debt package, early in 2012. … Read More »
“The international take-over of the Melbourne Cup is complete after the first seven across the line yesterday were international horsesâ€, said one commentator, echoing almost all. … Read More »