Under-pressure British PM reshuffles Cabinet

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown began a government reshuffle Friday which is crucial to his political survival and marks a reassertion of his authority. Crucially, Alan Johnson — the man who many Labor lawmakers expect to succeed Brown if he is forced to step down — has signaled his support for the beleaguered prime minister. He has accepted the promotion from Health secretary to Home secretary, taking the place of Jacqui Smith — one of three Cabinet ministers who rocked Brown by resigning this week

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In pictures: Star power on full wattage at Cannes

Like the swarms of snapping paparazzi that constantly surround them, stars of all shades are irresistibly drawn (or contractually obliged) to show face at Cannes — quite simply, when the world’s most prestigious film festival turns the wattage up to full, there’s nowhere more glamorous. The subject of Speaker Michael Martin’s speech wasn’t clear.

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UK Speaker to address calls for his head

The speaker of Britain’s House of Commons plans to make a statement Tuesday afternoon amid calls for him to resign, a spokesman for the House of Commons told CNN. The subject of Speaker Michael Martin’s speech wasn’t clear. But he has come under increasing pressure from MPs to step down in connection with a widening scandal surrounding lawmakers’ expenses

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Israel: Netanyahu gets more time to form government

Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu, running out of time to form a coalition government, was granted a 14-day extension Friday by Israeli President Shimon Peres. Netanyahu has been negotiating with Labour Party leader Ehud Barak to try to broaden what would be a Likud-led coalition. The Labour Party is expected to meet on Tuesday to discuss Netanyahu’s offer and to vote on whether to join his government

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