Weekend talking points: 5 top stories
What happened this week? The U.S. bombed Libya. Japan continued its long recovery. And the Republican presidential race finally got some candidates... sort of
1. The West bombs Libya
A military alliance of Western powers spent days pummeling Libya with missiles, in an attempt to stamp out Moammar Gadhafi's bloody assault on his own people. After much squabbling, NATO agreed to take control of the no-fly zone in Libya, though the U.S. will still be very involved. Some, like Robert Shrum, believe America's mission shouldn't end until Gadhafi is deposed. But dissenters on both the Right and Left are criticizing Obama's use of force in Libya, and the president seems keen to make a quick exit. Stay up to date with our Libya coverage here.
2. Republicans inch closer to declaring their candidacies
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R-Minn.) announced that he's forming a presidential exploratory committee, a key fundraising tool that typically signals a White House bid. But Pawlenty's not the only Minnesota Republican with 2012 ambitions. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) also plans to form an exploratory committee. And as the long-stalled race heats up, even newly-elected Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is considering a run. For more on the 2012 presidential race, click here.
3. Japan tries to move on
As the country looks to rebuild after a trio of disasters, citizens grapple with new fears over whether water and food are safe to consume. Radiation levels are dropping at the Fukushima nuclear reactors, but for many Japanese, including the heroes still laboring to ward off further problems at Fukushima, plenty of risks remain. Here, more stories on the disaster in Japan.
4. The union fight spreads
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The battle over union rights in Wisconsin may have returned to a simmer, but elsewhere in America, the labor fight is boiling. Maine's Republican governor has ordered the removal of a union-friendly mural at the state Department of Labor, saying the images are anti-business. And many on the Right were outraged over an audio tape purporting to show a former national labor official proposing drastic measures — such as toppling the stock market — to help middle-class workers. See more about union showdowns here.
5. Apple weathers multiple storms
The tech giant announced that one of its top software engineers is leaving, prompting questions about Apple's future. And after a massive petition drive and withering criticism, Apple yanked a "gay cure" iPhone app that it had initially approved. But Steve Jobs and Co. went on offense, too, suing Amazon over its use of the term "App Store." For more on Apple, click here.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published