The world at a glance . . . Europe
Europe
London
Iraq war investigation: Authorities this week opened an official inquiry into the government’s actions leading up to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Britain, the U.S.’s most prominent ally in Iraq, brought its last troops home from the war in July. A five-person committee appointed by the government will hear testimony from generals, intelligence officials, and political leaders, including former Prime Minister Tony Blair. The inquiry will assess the legal basis of the war, as well as allegations that Blair overplayed evidence of weapons of mass destruction in order to justify the invasion. “No one is on trial here,” said committee head Sir John Chilcot, a longtime civil servant. “But I make a commitment that, once we get to our final report, we will not shy away from making criticisms where they are warranted.”
Rome
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.
Berlusconi sex book: A female escort who reportedly slept with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi published a book this week describing their night together in graphic detail. In her memoir, Take Your Pleasure, Prime Minister, Patrizia D’Addario, 42, says she had sex with the 73-year-old billionaire politician after a party at his mansion in Rome, the Palazzo Grazioli. “We kissed an infinite number of times,” she wrote, calling his sexual performance worthy of the Guinness Book of Records. D’Addario is also set to appear in a film called Escort: The Girls of Palazzo Grazioli with some of the 30 other women who were allegedly paid to attend Berlusconi’s parties. Berlusconi has not denied spending the night with D’Addario, but vehemently denies ever having paid for sex.
Kiev, Ukraine
Swine flu politics: The H1N1 epidemic has become the major issue in Ukraine’s presidential race, with leading candidates blaming each other for the outbreak. Swine flu is widespread in Ukraine, where at least 1.5 million of the nation’s 46 million people have been infected. With the January election approaching, President Viktor Yushchenko, who is faltering in his re-election bid, has accused one of his chief rivals, Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, of gutting the national flu center. Tymoshenko has countered that the president blocked flu funding and should be held personally “responsible for every person who is ill today or dies.” Mistrust of the government and its overburdened health system is a legacy of Soviet rule, leaving many Ukrainians trafficking in rumors about deadly strains of flu.
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
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
The Week contest: Swift stimulus
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'It's hard to resist a sweet deal on a good car'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The news at a glance...International
feature International
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The bottom line
feature Youthful startup founders; High salaries for anesthesiologists; The myth of too much homework; More mothers stay a home; Audiences are down, but box office revenue rises
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The week at a glance...Americas
feature Americas
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The news at a glance...United States
feature United States
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The news at a glance
feature Comcast defends planned TWC merger; Toyota recalls 6.39 million vehicles; Takeda faces $6 billion in damages; American updates loyalty program; Regulators hike leverage ratio
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The bottom line
feature The rising cost of graduate degrees; NSA surveillance affects tech profits; A glass ceiling for female chefs?; Bonding to a brand name; Generous Wall Street bonuses
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The news at a glance
feature GM chief faces Congress; FBI targets high-frequency trading; Yellen confirms continued low rates; BofA settles mortgage claims for $9.3B; Apple and Samsung duke it out
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
The week at a glance...International
feature International
By The Week Staff Last updated