Here's the brutal truth of the smartphone market: the only companies that make any money are Apple and Samsung.

CNN: Tech trends for 2013: Five things to watch

That may be a brutal truth, but it's good news for Bangladesh.

WSJ: In Bangladesh, the Slow, Tragic March to a Better Life

The brutal truth is that the Cypriots held out too long.

BBC: Lessons of Cyprus

The brutal truth is that British democracy cannot begin to recover from the catastrophic damage of the past few days until Michael Martin quits.

BBC: 'Appalled' Cameron leads payback

The brutal truth is that even massed together, SMEs may never be able to match the pull of even one of the major tycoons like Marimutu Sinivasan, Aburizal Bakrie or Anthony Salim.

CNN: Big Little Problems

The brutal truth is, Washington's finest natural asset, thousands of cherry trees, currently blossoming in shades of white and pink, are being destroyed by two rogue rodents seemingly intent on building a dam across this city's Potomac River.

BBC: By BBC Washington Correspondent Stephen Sackur

Possibly, but whatever the truth, it was a brutal reminder of Mexico's scope for organised violence.

ECONOMIST: Mexico