Martes, 19 de abril de 2016 (Continuación)

MundoOriente Próximo

Iran's president, Hassan Rouhani, is under pressure. Two ticking clocks—the 8 November US presidential election and Iran’s June 2017 presidential election—will weigh heavily on his mind as he attempts to build on the momentum of the nuclear deal with the P5+1 and push through needed economic reforms.

Regardless of whether Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz or Donald Trump win in November, relations between Iran and the US are likely to become more confrontational, with both candidates seeking to distance themselves from the perceived ‘leniency’ of President Obama.

Clinton has stated that, 'As president, my approach will be to distrust and verify. I will vigorously enforce the nuclear deal as part of a comprehensive strategy that confronts all of Iran’s negative actions in the region and stand side-by-side with our ally Israel and our Arab partners.'…  Seguir leyendo »

South Africa and ANC president Jacob Zuma at the official launch of the municipal elections manifesto on 16 April 2016 in Port Elizabeth. Photo by Getty Images.

MundoÁfrica,

The Africa National Congress (ANC) launched its manifesto for the local elections starting on 3 August at a poorly attended rally in Nelson Mandela Bay on 16 April. The ANC is hoping that its manifesto launch helps to unite the party as it faces the most contested election in urban areas since 1994. President Jacob Zuma highlighted past ANC successes and made promises of future delivery. But putting the leadership team on the same stage to promote unity does little to hide the cracks in the party.

These local elections promise to be a major test. Support for the party remains strong among the rural poor but the loyalty of urban voters is not guaranteed.…  Seguir leyendo »

ReflexionesPensamiento, Cultura y Ciencia,

Why not write in a foreign language? If people feel free to choose their profession, their religion, and even, these days, their sex, why not just decide which language you want to write in and go for it? Ever since Jhumpa Lahiri published In Other Words, her small memoir in Italian, people have been asking me, Why don’t you write in Italian, Tim? You’ve been in the country thirty-five years, after all. What keeps you tied to English? Is it just a question of economic convenience? That the market for books in English is bigger? That the world in general gives more attention to books written in English?…  Seguir leyendo »

Attentats à Bruxelles

InternacionalTerrorismo InternacionalEuropaUnión Europea, ,

Nous étions en plein tournage dans une plaine de Tlaxcala, au Mexique. La journée brillait de ses derniers éclats pendant que les cendres volantes du volcan Popocatépetl filtraient la lumière en ombres verte et ambre. Ce n’est qu’au mouvement de ses lèvres que je me suis rendu compte que Joaquim, mon assistant, m’appelait : Gilles avait été tué dans le métro à Bruxelles lors des attentats.

Pendant que Joaquin me parlait, la mort s’invitait en moi. Je regardais mes enfants et ma femme qui m’accompagnaient, sachant qu’ils ne savaient rien du drame : ils faisaient la course à quatre pattes tout en riant.…  Seguir leyendo »