As the seventh-graders held forth, student Chris Gregory noticed one of the teachers passing the table opening a package of Twinkies and popping one in his mouth.

NPR: Nutrition, Business At Odds in U.S. School Cafeterias

But re-opening the Irish rescue package would be a hideous can of worms for eurozone members.

BBC: Messy Spanish rescue

But China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, which brings a package of market-opening concessions, sealed the switch to unconditional relations.

BBC: US normalises trade with China