observer.guardian.co.uk:
Europe and Russia are embroiled in an escalating contest over Ukraine ‑ its direction, its stability, and its alliances. Diplomats, analysts, and EU officials are warning that the situation could worsen sharply within weeks, in an early test of Catherine Ashton's crisis management skills.The new EU foreign policy chief will (Read More)
The Guardian:
• Swelling population 'risks demographic disaster'• Cynicism and disaffection among disturbing findingsPakistan faces a "demographic disaster" if its leaders fail to invest in a youth population that is disturbingly cynical about democracy, has greatest faith in the military and is resentful of western interference, accordi (Read More)
The Guardian:
• US confectioner has moved thousands of jobs to Mexico in three-year restructuring• Company's intentions towards Cadbury, a potential bid target, remain unclearIt calls itself the sweetest place in America. But the home town of Hershey's, the chocolate maker, has a lingering hint of bitterness in the air after cost-cutting (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
David Miliband says UK needs more time to shore up Afghan government The Afghan government could fall within weeks if Nato pulled out troops now, David Miliband warned today as he urged British opponents of the war to give the fight to rebuild the country more time.In an interview with the Guardian at the end of a visit to (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Sport:
• Scot will face Del Potro in tournament opener• £1m prize money will help weary players focusThe world's leading players shuffled around what used to be County Hall yesterday in their new suits, shirts, shoes and ties like guests who had arrived too early for a wedding. The preliminaries to the end-of-season ATP World Tour (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
Cathy Ashton's meteoric rise has surprised many, but not those who know her bestWhen Cathy Ashton arrived in Brussels at short notice just over a year ago she had to attend to some urgent business: removing traces of her predecessor, Peter Mandelson.In her first act Ashton took down a large painting of a bare-breasted woman (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
Lady Ashton is apparently a perfectly personable woman, but she was only chosen because she ticked the right boxesIf someone held the patent for the word "nice" they would make a fortune today: the only thing anyone can find to say about Lady Ashton is that she's nice. Sometimes she's just nice, other times she's nice in co (Read More)
The Guardian:
The mood in Brussels is bleak as experts agree politicking has triumphed over ambition in the appointment of two new leaders, writes Ian TraynorEurope's hopes of translating its economic power into global political clout have suffered a severe setback as a result of the timid choices on new leadership made this week, analys (Read More)
The Guardian:
The British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates appeared in television footage tonight showing them surrounded by gunman and pleading for help to free them before they are killed.Looking nervous and subdued, Paul and Rachel Chandler said their captors were "losing patience" and feared they could die within a week.The couple (Read More)
The Guardian:
• FFF say Fifa's decision must be final• Body claim to understand Irish disappointmentThe French Football Federation has rejected the Irish FA's appeal for Fifa to allow a replay of the contentious World Cup qualifier between the two countries.The FFF said it "understands the disappointment and the bitterness of the Irish p (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
The wild escalation of top salaries goes across both sectors – and so must the solution: a high pay commissionIf ever there were a need for a high pay commission to put some rationality into out-of-control top pay scales, this is it. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is looking for a new chief executive. Its chairman (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
Ali Dizaei, the suspended senior Scotland Yard officer, has been cleared of misusing his corporate credit card. An inquiry by Dorset chief constable Martin Baker found no evidence he acted dishonestly or without integrity. Dizaei, 47, was accused of failing to repay money he spent on a police credit card and not keeping rec (Read More)
The Guardian:
• Henry 'not proud' of Ireland handball incident• Barça coach would support use of video analysis in gamesThierry Henry was confronted by a giant, eight-foot poster of himself emblazoned with the words "I'm sorry" when he departed Barcelona's training ground this afternoon as the fall out continues following his handball ag (Read More)
guardian.co.uk Politics:
The appointments of Herman Van Rompuy and Cathy Ashton lay bare the rot at the core of the Lisbon projectIt's not often that the front pages of the Daily Mail and the Guardian have identical headlines. Still, both newspapers are right: it is a great EU stitch-up, this back-room installation of favoured placemen. Saying so d (Read More)
The Guardian:
French football fans are red-faced over Les Bleus' World Cup qualification at the expense of Ireland"What does it mean to be French?" mused a jocular Jean-Michel Aphatie on primetime television shortly before his national side took on Ireland in the Stade de France. "It's loving France so much that you support the players e (Read More)