Fairy tales are where you find them, but any number seem to begin in the dark German woods where Angela Merkel spent her childhood.
The girl who would grow up to be called the most powerful woman in the world came of age in a glade dappled by the northern sun and shadowed by tall pines.
Her family’s house stood three stories, and the steep rake of its tile roof held an attic window in the shape of a half-open eye. Strangers walked on the paths below, passing residents who often moved at curious gaits. Cries of anguish were sometimes heard. To adults, Waldhof was home to the Lutheran seminary run by Merkel’s father, an isolated compound—“forest court” in English—that hosted students and other short-term visitors while also functioning as a home and workplace for mentally disabled adults. But to a child of 3, Angela’s age when her family arrived, it was a world unto itself, and would remain so until she went to school in the adjoining town of Templin. There, she came to realize that, like the 17 million other residents of East Germany, she actually was living within the walls of a fortress.
MIDDLE EAST
Russia says it hit Islamic State with submarine-launched missile for first time.
US anti-ISIS envoy says only 30 percent of Russian airstrikes hit terror group.
Syrians leave rebel-held Homs area in truce deal.
Syrian army, allies advance closer to Aleppo highway.
Syrian opposition groups meet in Saudi Arabia to close ranks.
Iraqi forces send additional reinforcements to Ramadi. In IS stronghold, residents trapped in 'sealed casket' as Iraqi forces close in.
Turkey strikes PKK targets in northern Iraq.
Turkey detains & deports Russian journalists investigating ISIS oil trade reports.
Iran arrests 53 people for running pro-ISIS websites.
ASIA
Battle at Afghanistan airport kills 37 civilians, including children. Afghan forces fighting Taliban morning after Kandahar airport raid.
Over 50 killed as clashes intensify among top Taliban leaders in Herat.
Afghanistan's Ghani urges regional help to defeat terrorism.
China seeks South Korean safety guarantees after warning shots fired at ship.
US expands North Korea sanctions over arms trade.
Australia, Southeast Asia need to re-double efforts to avoid Paris-style attacks.
Cambodia tribunal charges former Khmer Rouge cadre with genocide.
China 'could reach pollution peak by 2023'.
AFRICA
American, US resident extremists defect in Somalia.
EU, US warn against 'attempt to derail' Libya peace plan.
Egypt's Sisi calls for 'international mobilisation' on Libya.
Central African Republic's Bozize slams 'shameful' election ban.
UN genocide adviser warns that Burundi risks civil war.
Seven killed in Burundi as EU talks end with little progress.
Ethiopia drought 'leaves 10 million without food'.
Egypt to build one million homes for poor to help ease shortage: minister.
EUROPE
Paris attacks: Third Bataclan bomber travelled to Syria in 2013, reports say. Third bomber at Paris's Bataclan music hall identified. Another Paris attacker named, had been in Syria.
Downed Su-24’s black box to reveal truth about Turkey’s treacherous strike – Putin.
Russian PM: we'll stick to defense spending plans.
Kerry says to go to Moscow next week for Syria, Ukraine talks.
Men, arms, still pour into east Ukraine from Russia: U.N..
Risk of 'Brexit' deals further blow to EU defense hopes.
Angela Merkel, German chancellor, is Time 'Person of the Year'.
AMERICAS
US House votes to require visas for Iraq, Syria travellers.
Farook planned earlier terror attack, says pal who supplied guns in San Bernardino shooting.
Venezuela's Maduro says will veto amnesty laws, reshuffle cabinet.
Venezuela president says 2015 inflation near 100 percent, economy to shrink 4 percent.
Brazil's top court suspends impeachment of Rousseff.
Argentina's Fernandez to skip Macri inauguration in row over site.
Emergency measures imposed as border surge surprises, overwhelms U.S. immigration officials.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
American jihadist reportedly flees al Qaeda’s crackdown in Somalia.
Amnesty report: ISIS armed with U.S. weapons.
ISIS is now recruiting in China.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Yahoo to spin off core businesses, including Yahoo Japan.
Report: Dow Chemical and DuPont in merger talks.
North Face's Douglas Tompkins dies in Chile kayak accident.
Smith & Wesson triples profits in three months to October.
No comments:
Post a Comment