Meet Rama Yade: A Symbol of Integration in France according to Washington Post

Rama Yade, 32, junior minister for youth and sports, was born in Senegal and raised in a Paris suburb. Aides say she is thinking of running for an office that would give her a political foothold. She will be in Washington this week. (By Thibault Camus — Associated Press)

French Minister’s Star Status Holds Political Promise

By Edward Cody

LYON, France — The photographer insisted on telling her how to pose. A television soundman thrust his microphone toward her face while behind him the intruding camera rolled. A knot of bystanders, meanwhile, edged in for a close-up look and opened fire with cellphone snapshots.

Other points of interest from the EU politics:

Germany ratifies EU Lisbon Treaty

According to EUbusiness 23 September 2009 Germany ratifies the EU?s Lisbon reform treaty: Federal President Horst Köhler has signed the ratification instrument, as attributed to a spokesman. (I found no confirmation on the President?s web site.)

Irish Lisbon treaty referendum: The facts

The mission of the Irish government?s Department of Foreign Affairs is to advance Ireland’s political and economic interests in the European Union and in the wider world, to promote Ireland’s contribution to international peace, security and development both through the European Union and through active participation in international organisations, in particular the United Nations, to protect Irish citizens abroad, and to pursue reconciliation and partnership on the island of Ireland.