G8 rich-country club will again let Ms Merkel cut a dash on the international stage.

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But Mr Blair would have done better to resist this temptation to cut a dash.

ECONOMIST: Whichever way the wind blows | The

The driven, abstemious Mr Radler enjoyed sweating profits from small, neighbourhood newspapers in their native Canada, while Lord Black cut a dash as a budding media magnate with his eye for a deal, strong conservative views and flashy erudition.

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In the Commons, three chairs of select committees have cut a particular dash: Natascha Engel has plotted a course for the Backbench Business Committee between the twin dangers of establishment cosiness and hyper-confrontational posturing.

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G7 summit in Birmingham, and attends the Arab-Israeli talks in London, Mr Blair is entitled to reflect that he has lately cut quite a dash on the world stage.

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