This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com.
Euro crisis talks thrown into disarray by Strauss-Kahn rape charge
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The juiciest story to come out over the weekend was the arrest of Dominique Strauss-Kahn on sexual assault charges. Strauss-Kahn is head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, and is widely regarded of having “saved the world” by guiding global policy through the financial crisis of 2008-2009. He was expected to step down from his position as IMF chief to run for President of France next year on the Socialist ticket. His political career is now thought to be finished, and his career at the IMF is probably finished as well. Agence France-Presse
He’s charged with sexually assaulting a maid in a $3,000 per night suite at this New York City hotel on Saturday. He was arrested on Saturday evening as his plane was just about to take off for France. However, his plane trip is explained by his scheduled meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday, to discuss the euro debt crisis. Reuters
The arrest of Strauss-Kahn throws the IMF into disarray, as it tries to figure out how to respond to the situation. He strongly supported the Greek rescue, even in the face of growing doubts about the Greek government’s ability and resolve to meet the commitments of the international aid package. His latest trip was likely to focus on whether to adjust the terms of Greece’s loans in order to keep the country — and the rest of the euro zone — from falling into a deeper crisis. Although he was going to be stepping down in a couple of months anyway, his sudden disappearance could derail European finance negotiations, at least for a while. Wall Street Journal (Access)
Protesters rally outside the Israeli embassy in Cairo, Egypt
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Israel’s IDF faced protesters crossing the border into Israel on three fronts, as I wrote in today’s main article. There were also demonstrations in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday, when thousands of protesters massed outside of the Israeli embassy. Egyptian police used rubber bullets and tear gad when a group of demonstrators tried to storm the entrance of the embassy. Protesters responded by burning tires and throwing stones. Al-Jazeera
UK calls for further escalation of Libya military action
The Libya military intervention was supposed to be victorious almost overnight, but now that it’s dragging through its third month as a stalemate with no end in sight, politicians are looking for ways to escalate, so that they find that elusive light at the end of the tunnel. UK Armed Forces chief Gen Sir David Richards says that Nato must intensify the military campaign against the Gaddafi regime by easing the restrictions on bombing targets. “The vice is closing on Gaddafi, but we need to increase the pressure further through more intense military action. We now have to tighten the vice to demonstrate to Gaddafi that the game is up and he must go.” Telegraph
Al-Assad meets with artists to solve Syria’s problems
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Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad met on Saturday with a delegation of Syrian artiss, actors and directors, to discuss the role of art and artists to uplift society, reflect its aspirations, bolster solidarity among the Syrian people, and promote awareness at plots that are targeting Syria and its security and stability. Sana (Syria)
Iran’s Supreme Leader says Ahmadinejad is ‘under a spell’
Iran’s Awakening-era political crisis continues to expand, as president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is refusing to obey orders to fire his chief of staff Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, even after some of Mashaei’s aides were accused of sorcery, using “supernatural powers,” of being “magicians.” ( “7-May-11 News — Resignation of Iran’s president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be imminent”) Now Ahmadinejad himself stands accused of being “under a spell,” for disobeying the Supreme Leader. According to Ayatollah Mohammad-Taqi Mesbah-Yazdi, “I’ve told some of my close friends that I am more than 90 per cent certain that he has been put under a spell. This is not natural at all. No sane person does such things unless his free will has been taken away.” Telegraph
Switzerland votes to continue assisted suicide
In a referendum in Switzerland on Sunday, voters overwhelmingly rejected proposals to ban assisted suicide, and also overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to ban “suicide tourism,” which permitted foreign nationals to visit the country to obtain help in ending their lives. From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, the suicide rate among seniors is expected to increase, as the financial crisis deepens, causing pension plans and other financial safety nets to go bankrupt. Independent
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