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,…
Category Archives: Uncategorized
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,…
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…
Get Your Gambling Fix While You Still Can
At the current time, less than 15% of the almost 15,000 online gambling sites across Europe are fully licensed. This figure, according to EU officials, is far too low, and some EU officials have created the “green paper” to change this situation. The Green Paper Issued just last week, the Green Paper has 51 questions…
“The Best Laid Plans” of the EU
EU leaders meeting in Brussels have been hoping to finalize a eurozone bailout fund, but this plan is looking less and less likely. This is due, in large part, to the fiscal crisis taking place in Portugal. Problems in Portugal Prime Minister of Portugal, Jose Socrates, recently offered his resignation. As Socrates explained, “This crisis…
Fiji Fish Back on the EU List
Fiji recently received some great news from the EU; they have just been reinstated on the list of countries allowed to export fish to the EU member states. Fiji was de-listed in 2004 after the Union found that some of the tuna lions from Fiji had mercury in them. In 2007, several people in France…
Watch Where You Step! Says Carbon Footprint Investments
In recent green news, Ralph Pettengell, the chief executive at Carbon Footprint Investments has warned UK and European companies that they may be penalized soon. He explained that the UK government may soon start to penalize companies that are carbon inefficient. As Mr. Pettengell explained, "Any company that exceeds its limits will be fined per…
India Trade Policy Hurting Ties to EU
The EU is pointing fingers today –and they are pointed directly at India. In a recent report, the “Trade and Investment Barriers Report 2011” the EU’s executive body says that India’s trade regime and regulatory environment are restrictive and hampering economic ties with the EU. Failings by India The report points to a number of…
EU Readies Sanctions Against Egypt
In very recent news, the EU is planning to adopt sanctions against former Egyptian officials who are being accused of stashing billions of dollars abroad. This information comes from an EU official and is apparently going to happen next week. Objectives of the Sanctions As the EU official stated, "The objective is that the asset…
