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The Independent
Chief Editorial Writer, and former Diplomatic Editor and Washington Bureau Chief, for The Independent newspaper in London; former Moscow Bureau Chief for the London Times
PROFILE
Mary Dejevsky
Guest
FROM Mary Dejevsky
To the Point
Special: ‘Trump Baby’ flies over Big Ben… President Trump flies to Europe this week for meetings with NATO, the Queen and Russia’s President Putin. But the president won’t be the only Trump flying when he lands in the UK. An enormous, orange “Trump baby” balloon, complete with a diaper and cell phone is set to float just above the streets of London, for all to see. What else do British protestors have in store?
To the Point
David Cameron Answers Questions about Finances The so-called Panama Papers are making history in the United Kingdom. For the first time, politicians are releasing their tax returns — even though there is no legal requirement. Prime Minister David Cameron today told Parliament, "Since 2010, I've not owned any shares and any investments. The publication of a prime minister's tax information in this way is unprecedented, but I think it is the right thing to do." Mary Dejevsky is chief editorial writer for The Independent .
To the Point
Britain and Argentina Flare Up over Falklands, 30 Years On It's been almost 30 years since former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher waged war to retain the Falkland Islands, 300 miles off Argentina. Now Britain's current leaders are accusing Argentina of "colonialism." Britain has sent the destroyer HMS Dauntless to replace a less powerful ship in the South Atlantic, and Price William – second in line to the British throne – has begun his posting in the British territory. Mary Dejevsky is chief editorial writer for The Independent in London.
To the Point
Can a Divided Europe Save Its Common Currency? America's economic future will depend in part on what happens in Europe, so the crisis over the Euro demands our attention. The Eurozone is divided between prosperous countries like France -- and especially Germany — and debtor nations, including Greece, and now Italy. The strong are needed to bail out the weak, but so far there's not enough trust for the strong to provide big money or the weak to accept austerity. Can un-elected European technocrats, trained on Wall Street, overcome the politics of independent nations? Why is it all so important to the United States?
Which Way, L.A.?
Rupert Murdoch on the Witness Stand Rupert Murdoch and his son, James, answered questions from members of Parliament today for almost three hours. Rupert Murdoch apologized, denied previous knowledge and blamed subordinates for the cell phone-hacking and bribery scandal rocking Britain's political elite. We hear about the testimony and the protester who threw shaving cream at the elder Murdoch's face.
To the Point
Rupert Murdoch on the Witness Stand Britain's 80-year old press lord, Rupert Murdoch, and his son, James, answered questions from members of Parliament today for almost three hours, saying that phone hacking and bribing police officers are wrong. Both denied knowing that News Corp policies were broken so often and blamed subordinates they accused of betraying them and their company. At one point, a protester managed to throw a small amount of shaving cream in the elder Murdoch's face. We hear about the substance and the drama as the scandal develops.
To the Point
President Obama Addresses British Parliament On his latest visit to Europe, Barack Obama today became the first American President to address a joint session of the British Parliament in Westminster Hall. He said it's possible for countries to be united by their ideals despite their differences. Mary Dejevsky, chief editorial writer for the Independent newspaper, offers some analysis.
To the Point
Scramble to Form a Government After British Elections As predicted, British voters have created a so-called “hung Parliament,” where no party has the 326 members needed to form a government on its own. The Conservatives won 305 seats, yesterday, Labour 255 and the Liberal Democrats 61. In a bid to stay on as Labour Prime Minister, Gordon Brown says he’ll negotiate with anybody. Conservative leader David Cameron says, no way…
To the Point
Is Britain's 'Special Relationship' with the US History? Since Winston Churchill persuaded Franklin Roosevelt to support Britain in World War II, the US and Britain have maintained "the Special Relationship." Now a committee of Parliament has recommended that it come to an end. Sir David Manning, who was Tony Blair's Ambassador to Washington during the Presidency of George W. Bush, recently told the committee that Barack Obama is "a Democrat who is not familiar with us," and recommended Britain use "sharp elbows" if it wants to be heard. Mary Dejevsky is chief editorial writer for The Independent of London.
Which Way, L.A.?
What's Next for International Capitalism? President Obama and Britain's Prime Minister Brown today renewed “ the special relationship .” But will they get the cooperation they want from the rest of the world? We get a preview of the G-20 summit and the likelihood of resolving the global financial crisis.
To the Point
What's Next for International Capitalism? Barack Obama met Queen Elizabeth today, as protests turned violent on the streets of London. The leaders of 20 countries are preparing to meet on the global financial meltdown, and the eyes of the world are on the new President of the United States. Obama and Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown are calling for unified action , but France and Germany, Eastern Europe and the nations of Asia all have their own ideas. Can they agree on the need for economic stimulus, increased regulation or more money for the International Monetary Fund ? Can Obama lead the way out of a crisis that started here and infected the rest of the world?
To the Point
Overseas Reaction to Obama Election "We are dreaming, we Europeans, of Obamaland"—a place of sunshine and music, conciliation and concord. That's an abbreviated quotation from an editorial this week in the Independent of London, contemplating Barack Obama 's election. In the United States, Barack Hussein Obama won a comfortable majority. In the rest of the World, he won by a landslide. After much talk of America's decline, his election has restored it as a symbol of opportunity in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia. But biography is one thing, and policy is another. Obama may well have created expectations he'll never fulfill. We discuss the anticipation of radical change and possibility of a different scenario.
To the Point
Bush's Farewell Tour of Europe President Bush continues what some call his " farewell tour " of Europe. In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel joined his call for further sanctions against Iran. She did not second his comment that "all options are on the table." On Sunday, Bush will be in London, where Mary Dejevsky is chief editorial writer for the Independent.
To the Point
What's Next for the 'Special Relationship?' Britain's new Prime Minister Gordon Brown has been portrayed as a big change from Tony Blair, especially on Iraq and the war on terror. But today at Camp David, Brown and President Bush filled the air with compliments . Each called the other his country's most important ally. We hear their public comments about the "historic partnership," and look at what their real differences might be. Can Brown get his troops out of Iraq soon enough to suit British voters? Has he softened his rhetoric to appeal to a Muslim constituency threatened by terms like "war on terror?"
To the Point
Tony Blair: Past, Present and Future It's been the worst-kept political secret in years, and today, Tony Blair said, " Ten years is enough ." After announcing his plans to his cabinet in London, the British Prime Minister finally announced that he'll submit his resignation to Queen Elizabeth on June 27. By that time, the majority Labour Party 's expected to have selected Chancellor Gordon Brown as the next Prime Minister. In his speech today, surrounded by vocal supporters, Blair addressed the most controversial aspect of his ten years as the leader of Britain: his support for President Bush and the war in Iraq. We look at Blair's accomplishments and his failures. Will support for the war in Iraq damage his legacy or enhance it? What will Blair's absence mean for President Bush? What's the future for leadership of the European Union ?
To the Point
Iran's Ahmadinejad Announces Release of British Captives Iran today abruptly announced the release of 14 men and one woman captured in disputed waters a week and a half ago. Britain did not concede they trespassed on Iranian waters. Tony Blair said the release was accomplished without confrontation or negotiation. Was there a deal or did Iran provide a surprise "gift" to the British people, as its president claimed? Was the US involved in a swap for Iranians held in Iraq?
Recommended
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
Left, Right & Center
How was the trip? President Trump's travels got less fun as he went from the Middle East to Europe.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.