If you’re a fan of herbal remedies, then you may want to look beyond the EU at this point. New EU rules came into practice this weekend banning hundreds of herbal medicines and remedies. The point of the laws is to protect consumers from influencing or hurting traditional medicines. Getting Your Herbs In order to…
Author Archives: Derrik Brunner
EU Opening Up to Unskilled Foreign Workers
For the first time, the EU is looking into granting unskilled workers from outside the EU a legal route for seasonal employment. The controversial draft legislation that is currently before the European Parliament would allow seasonal workers, mostly in agriculture and tourism, to gain easier access to work permits for up to six months each…
Austria Opening Up Workforce
On May 1, Austria will be opening its labor market to eight Eastern European members of the EU for the first time. Austria and Germany have been the last two hold outs from the EU member states to open their doors to workers from other EU states. They waited the maximum seven years from when…
Poland – the Hottest New Investment Location
Recently, Poland has become the hottest new place to invest. According to a study by market researcher Markit, done for consultancy KPMG, Poland has investments that are booming at a rate higher than in most other European Union countries. Polish Expansion The report shows that Polish businesses’ are investing in expansion at the highest level…
EU Relaxing a Bit on Burma
Last year, the Burmese elections inspired widespread condemnation of the region. Now, however, the EU has relaxed some of the restrictions that it placed on member of the Burmese government – the first time that the EU has relaxed any measures against Burma since imposing them in 1996. Lifting Restrictions These measures, created on Tuesday,…
“Take Off that Burqa!” Says France
As of this coming Monday, you’ll be fined 150 euros ($190) if you’re found wearing a burqa (a full-body covering that includes a mesh over the face) or a niqab (a full-face veil that only leaves slits for the eyes) in France. As the Interior Ministry in France explains, “The ban does not target the…
Portugal Calling Out for Help
Portugal needs help. Yesterday, they admitted that they are in dire financial straits, and they have turned to the EU for help. Led by Prime Minister Jose Socrates, the Portuguese government on Wednesday submitted an application for aid to the European Commission. Should they receive the requested aid, they will be the third EU country,…
Germany Investing in Egypt’s Future
In recent news, the German Ambassador to Egypt, Michael Bock, has made it clear that Germany will soon be investing more in Egypt. Bock said that Egypt is on its way towards more stability and growth after the recent growing pains it has experienced, and he said that the growth rates in the market should…
Is Ireland Currently a Good Investment?
Irish Minister of Finance Michael Noonan announced last week that the government will not follow through with its ‘burden sharing’ plan. The announcement came after the government was met with opposition from the European Central Bank. “Too Much Uncertainty” F&C Investments’ credit strategy manager Ian Robinson said the cost of senior bank debt for AIB…
Cotton Crimping Style in Sweden
In recent fashion news, Swedish fashion retailer, Hennes & Mauritz AB have reported that their profits fell 30% in the first quarter of the year. This fall was due, they explain, to rising cotton prices and negative currency exchange effects. Net profits, this Stockholm-based company explained, dropped from 3.74 billion kroner during the first quarter…
