The debate over what to call the Islamist extremist group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria has been raging for well over a year now. [...] Cameron's logic is simple: Calling the group "Islamic State" defers upon it a religious legitimacy and sense of statehood that should be denied.

Singapore has progressed from merlions and orchids to street food and star violinists parachuted onto international stages. But the latest attempt by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to conquer hearts and minds in Beijing, London and New York is taking a more subtle turn. Singapore Inside Out, the three-city tour of Singapore art and design, wrapped up its five-day gig in London yesterday. Strategically opening in London's hip (and some say hi

Big meals, to be sure, are an indispensable tool of diplomacy. People who have come a long way need to be welcomed and put at ease by their hosts. They are more relaxed and friendly with good food and drink inside them. They feel under a greater obligation to be polite and cooperative. But the EU is not a club of ambassadors, or even of politicians. It is, whether we like it or not, a form of government, a bloated version of a country. It has a commission, a court of justice, a parliament, a legal personality, a passport and a foreign service.

I moved to Germany for the first time as a language student in 2004. That November, the queen made her fourth state visit to the country. I hadn't even realized she was coming.

It was my landlady, Cäcilia, a conservative Catholic pensioner and widow in rural Pfalz in southwestern Germany, who excitedly pointed out that Elizabeth was in town on my return from work one Tuesday.

"Are you watching? Are you going to watch?" she cooed. Baffled, I asked what she was talking about, a question that seemed almost to offend. "Your queen's here. Here in Germany!"

The defence secretary has defended the government’s military strategy and spending, saying that “no country in Europe is playing such a strong global role”. Writing in the Sunday Telegraph he said the UK was “in it for the long term” when it came to Nato and deterring Russia, also hailing British operations against Islamic State (Isis) and humanitarian missions. [...] In his Telegraph article, Fallon highlighted the role of soft power in tackling the causes of instability, while also highlighting areas of military spending, including aircraft carriers and submarines.

This trip is a wonderful way for the First Lady to highlight three of our four core policy initiatives -- namely Let Girls Learn, Let’s Move! and Joining Forces. [...] That day, the U.S.

David Concar was in Malta visiting and viewing preparations for the upcoming CHOGM, mentioning that the Queen’s presence at the Heads of Government meeting emphasizes the importance of this CHOGM session.

The Conservative Party’s victory in the British general election means that soon it will fulfill its promise to hold a referendum on Britain’s continued membership in the European Union. The plan will be announced on Wednesday at the opening of the new parliament–during the Queen’s speech, traditionally the centerpiece of the event.