She added to that an unpopular poll tax, which she clung to obstinately when her MPs knew it was putting their seats in peril.

BBC: John Cole: Me and Mrs Thatcher

Jamie stood obstinately, not moving either way on the path.

NEWYORKER: The Swan

It began with President Alberto Fujimori obstinately launching his candidacy for a constitutionally dubious third term, which he proceeded to win after an unfair campaign and a rigged election.

ECONOMIST: Japan and the United States have a special duty to help

No matter how satisfied Quebeckers are with Mr Bouchard and his government, support for secession obstinately refuses to go beyond 45% in the opinion polls, and sometimes dips much lower.

ECONOMIST: Canada

Never mind that Tony Blair had given him a seemingly impossible brief: the prime minister wanted an appointed Lords, not an elected one, perhaps obstinately opposed to the government's plans.

ECONOMIST: Gareth Williams

And the fact that the financial year obstinately holds off until April marks the fact that Christ was born on 25 December, and therefore conceived on 25 March, the Feast of the Annunciation.

BBC: How much Christianity is hidden in British society?

The United Kingdom clung obstinately to the rebate secured in 1984, refusing to accept the principle of a freeze on it unless other European spending, such as on the Common Agricultural Policy, is discussed again - unthinkable for France...

BBC: NEWS | Europe | EU's 'Waterloo' summit angers press