After delays, Britain says it has officially ratified the EU's contentious Lisbon Treaty

Britain says it has officially ratified the Lisbon Treaty that aims to streamline decision-making in the European Union. The government says officials have completed final formalities to accept the treaty, which was approved by Parliament and given royal assent by Queen Elizabeth II in June. The government said Thursday that leather-bound goatskin "instruments of ratification" had been deposited in Rome, the final step in the process. Ratification had been stalled by a lawsuit seeking to force a referendum on the treaty. The suit was dismissed by a court last month. Britain is the 23rd EU member to approve the treaty. All 27 states must ratify it before it comes into... [read full story]