A plea to Irish people planning holidays this year to ‘Occupy Ireland’’ rather than holiday abroad is being made in an effort to boost the Irish tourism industry.
It is estimated the Irish will spend 50 million bed nights abroad in 2012 while leaving 16 million vacant bed nights at home.
If one in three people were to swap their trip in the sun for one at home it could create 40,000 jobs, said Mike Webster chief executive of Irish booking site GoIreland.com.
Irish people are expected to spend more on trips abroad this year than total income for the Irish tourism industry from both domestic and foreign visitors, he said yesterday.
For more: Occupy Ireland rather than abroad is tourism plea - The Irish Times - Sat, Jan 28, 2012
1/27/12
French bridge to Brazil: The Caribbean should not be stranded
The world is about to see Europe linked to South America in a way that has never happened before. A bridge will link French Guiana, the last European outpost in the Americas, with Brazil, the largest country in South America and now the sixth largest economy in the world.
There are other physical links to Brazil, but none from Europe. Once the bridge between French Guiana and Brazil is opened, so too will open the opportunity for greater trade and investment between the European Union (EU) and Brazil since, for all administrative purposes, French Guiana is as much a part of France as Paris.
Sarkozy's interest in the relationship between French Guiana and Brazil will go beyond the physical link between the two neighbours to the economic opportunities it can provide for France and, by extension, the EU. Brazil has a population of about 200 million and its economy grew by 7.5 per cent in 2010, and was forecast to grow another 3.5 per cent in 2011. It is rich in natural resources and is open to European investment.
On the other side, Brazil has a vibrant manufacturing sector and, remarkably, it sells more to China than it imports. For Brazil, the link to French Guiana could lead to a direct land-crossing to the Atlantic Ocean for parts of its huge territory from which overland transportation to its own Atlantic coast is expensive.
This possibility will be additional to a border crossing established in 2009 between Brazil and Guyana when a bridge was built over the Takutu River that barely divides the two countries at Brazil's northern point. However, while the bridge accommodates regular traffic between Brazil's northern area — Roraima — and Guyana, there is not an all-weather road from the bridge to Guyana's coast. Until the all-weather road is constructed, Brazil still cannot use Guyana effectively for transporting exports from its northern region.
French bridge to Brazil: The Caribbean should not be stranded - Columns - JamaicaObserver.com
There are other physical links to Brazil, but none from Europe. Once the bridge between French Guiana and Brazil is opened, so too will open the opportunity for greater trade and investment between the European Union (EU) and Brazil since, for all administrative purposes, French Guiana is as much a part of France as Paris.
Sarkozy's interest in the relationship between French Guiana and Brazil will go beyond the physical link between the two neighbours to the economic opportunities it can provide for France and, by extension, the EU. Brazil has a population of about 200 million and its economy grew by 7.5 per cent in 2010, and was forecast to grow another 3.5 per cent in 2011. It is rich in natural resources and is open to European investment.
On the other side, Brazil has a vibrant manufacturing sector and, remarkably, it sells more to China than it imports. For Brazil, the link to French Guiana could lead to a direct land-crossing to the Atlantic Ocean for parts of its huge territory from which overland transportation to its own Atlantic coast is expensive.
This possibility will be additional to a border crossing established in 2009 between Brazil and Guyana when a bridge was built over the Takutu River that barely divides the two countries at Brazil's northern point. However, while the bridge accommodates regular traffic between Brazil's northern area — Roraima — and Guyana, there is not an all-weather road from the bridge to Guyana's coast. Until the all-weather road is constructed, Brazil still cannot use Guyana effectively for transporting exports from its northern region.
French bridge to Brazil: The Caribbean should not be stranded - Columns - JamaicaObserver.com
Netherlands hopes to enforce Burka ban next year
Netherlands hopes to introduce a ban on the wearing of the full Islamic veil early next year, the interior ministry said Friday."We hope that the ban on wearing face-restrictive clothing will come into force at the start of 2013," spokeswoman Vera Hoogendoorn told AFP. "Everything depends on the speed with which the law is passed in the upper and lower chambers of parliament," she said.
Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Maxime Verhagen said Friday the proposal would be put to vote at the bicameral parliament after being cleared by the State Council, the highest administrative court.
For more: Netherlands hopes to enforce Islamic veil ban next year < Dutch news | Expatica The Netherlands
US Politics: Gingrich says he is not running to represent Goldman Sachs - by Julie Bykowiczchs
Newt Gingrich took aim at Wall Street and by extension Republican presidential opponent Mitt Romney yesterday as the former U.S. House speaker said he isn’t running for president to “represent Goldman Sachs.”
Yet the investment firm Gingrich derided and the banking industry as a whole stand to gain from his proposals to eliminate the capital gains tax and repeal two financial-sector measures, four analysts said in separate phone interviews.
Gingrich’s tax package, which also calls for a reduction of the personal income and corporate tax rates, would be beneficial to many on Wall Street, including those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., an investment banking firm based in New York, the analysts said.
For more: Gingrich takes a swing at Goldman Sachs - The Washington Post
Yet the investment firm Gingrich derided and the banking industry as a whole stand to gain from his proposals to eliminate the capital gains tax and repeal two financial-sector measures, four analysts said in separate phone interviews.
Gingrich’s tax package, which also calls for a reduction of the personal income and corporate tax rates, would be beneficial to many on Wall Street, including those at Goldman Sachs Group Inc., an investment banking firm based in New York, the analysts said.
For more: Gingrich takes a swing at Goldman Sachs - The Washington Post
Euro Makes It Five Straight Gains Over Dollar - by Luciana Magalhaes
The euro rose to a six-week high Friday as investors became more optimistic that Greece and its private-sector creditors would reach an agreement.
Reports on the progress of the talks, including a comment on Friday by Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos that Greece was one step away from concluding a deal on a €100 billion ($132 billion) debt write-down, helped build positive expectations. A deal has appeared close for much of the last week, but disagreements over coupon payments have stood in the way of an agreement.
The euro traded above $1.32 for the first time since Dec. 13, and stood at $1.3219 late Friday, up from $1.3109 on Thursday. That was its highest 5 p.m. rate since Dec. 9
.
The currency's rise was briefly weakened after Fitch Ratings downgraded Italy, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus and Slovenia's sovereign debt ratings. But Fitch reaffirmed its rating on Ireland, and left France and Germany, the euro zone's biggest members, untouched.
For more: Euro Makes It Five Straight Gains Over Dollar - WSJ.com
Reports on the progress of the talks, including a comment on Friday by Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos that Greece was one step away from concluding a deal on a €100 billion ($132 billion) debt write-down, helped build positive expectations. A deal has appeared close for much of the last week, but disagreements over coupon payments have stood in the way of an agreement.
The euro traded above $1.32 for the first time since Dec. 13, and stood at $1.3219 late Friday, up from $1.3109 on Thursday. That was its highest 5 p.m. rate since Dec. 9
.
The currency's rise was briefly weakened after Fitch Ratings downgraded Italy, Spain, Belgium, Cyprus and Slovenia's sovereign debt ratings. But Fitch reaffirmed its rating on Ireland, and left France and Germany, the euro zone's biggest members, untouched.
For more: Euro Makes It Five Straight Gains Over Dollar - WSJ.com
Germany Optimistic Greek Debt Deal Will Be Struck Soon - by Andrea Thomas
The German government is optimistic that a deal in the Greek debt talks will be struck soon, officials said Friday.
"I assume that the necessary negotiations between private-sector creditors and Greece will come to an end," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters. "We are confident that an agreement will be found within the scope of what has been set in December."
Finance ministry spokeswoman Marianne Kothe said Germany is "optimistic, as Mr. Seibert has said, that negotiations will be finalized soon."
Greek debt swap negotiations with representatives for private-sector creditors over a EUR100 billion debt write-down were continuing Friday. A person close to the talks said Friday that negotiations have edged toward an agreement, with bond holders apparently willing to accept lower yields on their future holdings of Greek debt.
For more: Germany Optimistic Greek Debt Deal Will Be Struck Soon - WSJ.com
"I assume that the necessary negotiations between private-sector creditors and Greece will come to an end," German government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters. "We are confident that an agreement will be found within the scope of what has been set in December."
Finance ministry spokeswoman Marianne Kothe said Germany is "optimistic, as Mr. Seibert has said, that negotiations will be finalized soon."
Greek debt swap negotiations with representatives for private-sector creditors over a EUR100 billion debt write-down were continuing Friday. A person close to the talks said Friday that negotiations have edged toward an agreement, with bond holders apparently willing to accept lower yields on their future holdings of Greek debt.
For more: Germany Optimistic Greek Debt Deal Will Be Struck Soon - WSJ.com
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FUTURE - by RM
As to those who see dangers in the advancement of technology and the possible infringement on their personal freedom, maybe they should remember what Winston Churchill said, as he puffed on his Cuban cigars, and sipped his French Cognac: “A pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Experience, learn, teach others about the great opportunities technology and particularly the role Internet plays in this. Never allow anyone to try and curb this "8th wonder of the world" or similar innovations which will follow. They can only advance mankind.
Among some of the many marvels available to you through the Internet today . 1) Google Earth streams the world over wired and wireless networks enabling users to virtually go anywhere on the planet and see places in photographic detail. This is not like any map you have ever seen. Google Earth can be downloaded for "free" at: http://earth.google.com
2) For those of us who want to take an extended peep into the future: The Millennium Project and their "The 2011 State of the Future". Paperback with CD 100-page print and an attached CD containing about 8,500 + pages of research behind the print edition and The Millennium Project's 15 years of cumulative research and methods provides an interesting journey into the future. For more information go to: http://www.millennium-project.org/
3) For daily updated factual news about and related to Europe, including "streaming TV news reports" from alternative news resources such as LinkTV, Euronews, France 24, Aljazeera, PBS and RN, go to: EU-Digest - at http://www.eu-digest.com. You can also subscribe to EU-Digest for free.
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can be copied and redistributed only when
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US Presidential Primaries: While Republicans Fight Over the Florida Prize, Obama Looking Better And Better To Voters
The state of Florida - even without its reputation for hanging chads - loves its emerging role as the most important step in the quest for the Republican nomination and the shining hope for President Obama. "Let those Republicans fight it out here, calling each other names," said Ann Zucker, president of the Weston Democratic Club, near Ft. Lauderdale. "After listening to Romney, Gingrich and Santorum call each other every possible name in these debates, any sane voter would turn to re-electing our Democratic leader Barack Obama."
Today's headlines in Florida newspapers told the same story. "RIVALS TRADE FIRE IN S. FLORIDA" was the banner in the Miami Herald this morning. "Contenders Slug It Out" was the lead story in the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
Polls also showed President Obama with growing leads among Florida voters with respect to handling the office of the presidency, handling the economy, and in positive views for employment opportunities.
Ron Levitt: While Republicans Fight Over the Florida Prize, Obama Looking Better And Better To Voters
Europe warns US on political financing
(AP) A top European anti-corruption body wants the U.S. to increase transparency of political funding through outside groups that donate millions to support candidates, warning that they could be used to skirt long-established disclosure rules.The Council of Europe's Group of States against Corruption — known as Greco and which counts the U.S. as a member — warns "soft money" political financing vehicles appear to be increasing in America.
Donors may give to the non-profits — which don't have to disclose their donors and can be feeders of funds into super PACs, independent groups that can raise unlimited amounts of money. The report did not mention super PACs by name, but it did focus on the 501(c) organizations.
The report made three recommendations to U.S. authorities, and Greco said it "invites" the U.S. to respond to those recommendations by the end of June 2013.
One recommended that U.S. authorities continue their push toward electronic filing of public disclosure of financial reports in Senate elections. Another urged a study of the effects of tie votes — or "deadlocks" — at the six-member Federal Election Commission.
One Creco official said that authors were concerned about the potential fallout from super PACs, which were born out of a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that stripped away prior restrictions on some election spending.
Greco is the anti-corruption unit of the 47-country Council of Europe, which is based in the eastern city of Strasbourg and aims to promote human rights and democratic principles.
EU-Digest
1/26/12
Finances: Tips on how to become a Millionaire
A good way to know how much you should save is by using the universal rule called Pareto’s Principle of 80/20. In business, you must put most of your efforts on the 20% that bring in 80% of the income. In saving, 80% of your savings come from 20% of your frugal living. In other words, you should live within 80% of your income and set aside at least 20% of your salary every payday.
Millionaires live below their means. Most millionaires are not fond of showing their wealth by living a lavish lifestyle. We are oftentimes compelled by media to live extravagant because that’s how media portrays how millionaire lives – large houses, luxurious cars, expensive jewelries, the latest equipment, etc.
However, a lot of millionaires are simple. They wear simple clothes, live in a simple house, drives simple car and yet you will know they are already a millionaire by examining their bank accounts, their stock portfolio and other investments.
Millionaires know how to budget. One way to live below your means is to budget your income. You should assign every euro for each of your expenses every month after taking out your savings from your income.
The first thing to be financially literate is for you to know that the value of money depreciates over time because of inflation. And that is why you need to invest. Set goals.
You should be aware that time is of the essence in becoming a millionaire. It’s not a quick-reach step on top of a ladder but it involves a lot of time. It’s not an overnight success but with some common sense anyone can become a millionaire.
EU-Digest
Internet: Netherlands in Top 3 Biggest Domain Name Countries
The.nl-domain on the Internet has grown to be the third biggest country domain in the world. China has been overtaken by the Netherlands.
Last year, the number of domain names that ended up on .nl grew to nearly 5 million. This is 607,000 more than in 2010, says Hostnet, which registers domain names and carries out research on the registrations every year.
Hostnet says the number of Dutch domain names never before increased so quickly in a year. Only Germany (.de) and the UK (.co.uk) have even more registrations. China had hitherto come third, but this spot has now been captured by the Netherlands.
For more: Dutch news - Netherlands in Top 3 Biggest Domain Name Countries
Last year, the number of domain names that ended up on .nl grew to nearly 5 million. This is 607,000 more than in 2010, says Hostnet, which registers domain names and carries out research on the registrations every year.
Hostnet says the number of Dutch domain names never before increased so quickly in a year. Only Germany (.de) and the UK (.co.uk) have even more registrations. China had hitherto come third, but this spot has now been captured by the Netherlands.
For more: Dutch news - Netherlands in Top 3 Biggest Domain Name Countries
EU Warns Germans, Dutch To Comply With EU Procurement Law
The European Commission has sent the German and Dutch governments a letter warning them to take action to comply with an EU defense procurement law within two months or face potential fines.
In a statement issued Jan. 26, the commission says it is “concerned that [Germany and the Netherlands] have failed to fulfill their commitments under the Directive (2009/81/EC) regarding procurement of arms, munitions and war material (and related works and services) for defense purposes, and also the procurement of sensitive supplies, works and services for security purposes.
“While the majority of the member states have either fully implemented the Directive or are finalizing the adoption of transposing measures, in these two member states — Germany and The Netherlands — all of the Directive’s provisions still have to be implemented and the transposition process is very slow,” the commission states. The deadline for implementing the rules in question was Aug. 20, 2011.
For more: EU Warns Germans, Dutch To Comply With EU Procurement Law | Gannett Government Media | defensenews.com
In a statement issued Jan. 26, the commission says it is “concerned that [Germany and the Netherlands] have failed to fulfill their commitments under the Directive (2009/81/EC) regarding procurement of arms, munitions and war material (and related works and services) for defense purposes, and also the procurement of sensitive supplies, works and services for security purposes.
“While the majority of the member states have either fully implemented the Directive or are finalizing the adoption of transposing measures, in these two member states — Germany and The Netherlands — all of the Directive’s provisions still have to be implemented and the transposition process is very slow,” the commission states. The deadline for implementing the rules in question was Aug. 20, 2011.
For more: EU Warns Germans, Dutch To Comply With EU Procurement Law | Gannett Government Media | defensenews.com
Italian yields fall sharply in €5 billion auction; Monti govt survives confidence vote
Italy easily raised €5 billion ($6.47 billion) in a pair of bond auctions on Thursday that saw a sharp drop in borrowing rates, a sign that investor confidence in the country is improving.The sale was the first test of market sentiment in the country’s handling of its debt since ratings agency Standard & Poor’s cut Italy’s credit rating by two notches on Jan. 13.
Italy paid an interest rate of 3.763 percent on €4.5 billion in two-year bonds, compared with 4.85 percent in a comparable auction in December. The borrowing cost for a new bond expiring in September 2014 was 3.2 percent.
UniCredit analysts said the sale was “positive” and an encouraging sign for upcoming auctions.
For more: Italian yields fall sharply in €5 billion auction; Monti govt survives confidence vote - The Washington Post
Italy paid an interest rate of 3.763 percent on €4.5 billion in two-year bonds, compared with 4.85 percent in a comparable auction in December. The borrowing cost for a new bond expiring in September 2014 was 3.2 percent.
UniCredit analysts said the sale was “positive” and an encouraging sign for upcoming auctions.
For more: Italian yields fall sharply in €5 billion auction; Monti govt survives confidence vote - The Washington Post
France: Sarkozy confession to press sets rumour mill spinning
According to reports on Tuesday by AFP news agency, Le Monde and Liberation newspapers, and other media organisations, Sarkozy told a small gathering of reporters that “for the first time in my life I am faced with the possibility that my career is coming to an end.The exchange, which occurred during the president’s visit to French Guyana on Sunday, immediately became a subject of intense speculation in France. Were Sarkozy’s words a from-the-heart confession or a calculated move to garner sympathy?
Left-wing daily Liberation said that at least on two occasions Sarkozy warned that the conversation was off the record, insisting at one point that if his words were printed the same kind of exchange “would never happen again”.
During the three-hour-long talk, Sarkozy reserved some disparaging words for his own ruling UMP party, saying he would prefer a religious cloister to active participation in party life if he lost the election, the reports said. Sarkozy has not made his candidacy for the April 22 poll official, but his leaked conversation also helped confirm his intention to run for a second term. “The [2012] campaign will be very different from 2007,” Sarkozy reportedly warned.
For more: Sarkozy confession to press sets rumour mill spinning - FRENCH POLITICS - FRANCE 24
Only a unified Europe can remain powerful, says German Chancellor Angela Merkel -
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has insisted that Europe will remain an economic power only if it deepens the integration that has caused it so many problems. Without that, she warned the global elite gathered in a Swiss ski resort, Europe will remain little more than a pleasant vacation destination.The tone of Merkel's keynote address on Wednesday was not dramatically different from her measured norm, but it was positive enough to feed an emerging feeling among European power brokers that Germany _ and hence Europe _ is finally becoming convinced that it needs to do whatever it takes to save the euro from collapse.
"The message is that we are ready for more commitment. We are no longer making excuses," Merkel said. If Europe doesn't integrate further, she said, "we will remain an interesting holiday destination for a long time, but we won't be able to produce prosperity for the people in Europe anymore."
For more: Only a unified Europe can remain powerful, says German Chancellor Angela Merkel - The Times of India
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