La clé des langues - Anglais

News headlines

This section gives you a daily overview of the topics that hit the headlines in national newspapers in Britain (the Guardian, The Daily Telegraph and The Independent) and in the United States (the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times). It also provides you with links to other newspaper websites of the English speaking world as well as a selection of 'lighter' readings.

UK latest

George Osborne: Angela Merkel damaging UK economic interests The Daily Telegraph, 15 May 2012
Robert Winnett, David Blair and Bruno Waterfield
Speaking after he arrived in Brussels for meetings with other European finance ministers about the worsening eurozone crisis, Mr Osborne implied that the German chancellor was destabilising the global economy.
“The eurozone crisis is very serious and it’s having a real impact on economic growth across the European continent, including in Britain, and it’s the uncertainty that’s causing the damage,” said Mr Osborne, the Chancellor.
“Of course countries have got to make difficult decisions about their public finances. We know that in Britain. But it’s the open speculation from some members of the eurozone about the future of some countries in the eurozone which I think is doing real damage across the whole European economy.”

Read on...
Parents to control special education needs budgets The Guardian, 15 May 2012
Ben Quinn
Parents in England are to be given control over their children's special educational needs (SEN) budgets, allowing them to choose expert support rather than local authorities being the sole provider.
In what the government described as the biggest reform of SEN for 30 years, the measures will also legally force education, health and social care services to plan services together.
Sarah Teather, the minister for children and families, said this would prevent parents being forced to go from "pillar to post" in a battle between different authorities and agencies.
The reforms were set out on Monday in the government's formal response to the public consultation on a green paper that trailed the reforms last year.

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World braces itself for Greek euro exit The Independent, 15 May 2012
Ben Chu
Financial markets were plunged into fresh turmoil after Greece's political parties failed once again to agree to form a unity government, and European policymakers warned that Greece's aid payments would be cut off unless Athens quickly produced an administration prepared to deliver far-reaching economic reforms and budget cuts.
Without those funds from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, Greece could run out of cash to meet its national debt interest payments as early as next month. The country would then have no option but to default. Most analysts expect that a default would be a prelude to Greek exit from the single currency altogether.

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USA latest

More than 5,500 acres burn in Arizona wildfires The Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2012
Michael Muskal
More than 5,500 acres continued to burn in Arizona on Monday as officials fought to contain the wildfires.

Damage was minimal, with just three structures destroyed. Evacuation orders were in place in at least one area, but as of Monday morning, most residents were choosing to stay at home.

The largest reported fire was one of two in Tonto National Forest and dubbed the Sunflower fire. Officials said about 3,100 acres had been burned as of Monday morning. More than 280 firefighters were at the blaze, which had no containment. No structures were immediately threatened.

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Obama campaign attack ad calls Romney a 'job destroyer' The Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2012
Paul West and Michael A. Memoli
WASHINGTON — President Obama on Monday intensified a potentially crucial phase of his reelection try: an effort to define Mitt Romney in negative terms before voters have time to form a more positive image of the Republican challenger.
The president's campaign released an attack ad focusing on Romney's work as a private equity executive. Describing him as "a job destroyer," it features former employees of a now-defunct Kansas City steel company talking about how they watched their employer "bleed to death" after Bain Capital, the investment firm headed by Romney, took control.
The TV ad drive is part of a wider effort by the endangered incumbent to disqualify Romney among members of a key swing-voter group: working-class white men.

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Taxmageddon sparks rising anxiety The Washington Post, 15 May 2012
Lori Montgomery and Rosalind S. Helderman
Defense contractors have slowed hiring. Tax advisers are warning firms not to count on favorite breaks. And hospitals are scouring their books for ways to cut costs.
Across the U.S. economy, anxiety is rising about the potential for widespread disruptions after the November election, when a lame-duck Congress will have barely two months to resolve a grinding standoff over taxes and spending.
The halls of the U.S. Capitol are already teeming with people warning of disaster if lawmakers fail to defuse a New Year’s budget bomb scheduled to raise taxes for every American taxpayer and slash spending at the Pentagon and most other federal agencies.

Read on...

News from other parts of the world

Ireland

The Irish Times: A socially liberal and rather left wing newspaper. Founded in 1859, it is one of the major Irish daily information media and offers an excellent online edition.
The Irish Independent: Founded in 1905, it is Ireland's best-selling daily newspaper. Its website offers regular updates on both Irish and world news.

South Africa

The Mail and Guardian: A major investigative newspaper founded in 1985. Although it is a weekly paper, its online version offers daily updates on South African and world news.

Australia

The Daily Telegraph: Founded in 1879 and named after the British upmarket daily newspaper, it is rather conservative and offers a variety of sections ranging from politics to 'wacky' news.
The Australian: Less populist than the telegraph, this newspaper provides its readers with news from all over South-East Asia. It was founded in 1964 and is based in Sydney.

New Zealand

The New Zealand Herald: Founded in 1863, it is the country's best-selling paper and offers an excellent website with regular news updates.

Canada

The Toronto Star: Canada's largest daily newspaper, with a left of centre vantage point. It was founded in 1892.
The Globe and Mail: A result of the 1936 merger between The Globe and The Mail and Empire, it is a widely read conservative newspaper.

India

The Indian Express: Started in 1931, it is one of India's most prominent daily newspapers. It is renowned for its investigative reports and offers a fine website.

On the lighter side

The Daily Mirror: Launched in 1903, the Mirror was intended as a newspaper for women, run by women. It now belongs to the buoyant and colorful British gutter press.
The Sun: Founded in 1964 and sold in the UK and Ireland, it is the pendent of the Mirror on the waiting room table of any good British GP.
People: An American weekly magazine of celebrity and human-interest stories founded in 1974.