Combating terrorism not only requires weapons but also an investment in education

Somalia and Haiti have topped a list of the world’s worst places to be a school child according to a new report from the Global Campaign for Education.  

The countries have been ranked according to factors including access to basic education; teacher: pupil ratio; and educational provision for girls. The bottom 10 countries are Somalia, Eritrea, Haiti, Comoros, Ethiopia, Chad, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Liberia.

In Somalia, for example, ongoing conflict and civil unrest have had a catastrophic effect on education with most recent data estimating that only 10 percent of children are enrolled in primary school.


In Nigeria, the sixth biggest oil producer in the world, a lack of political will is a major factor in the country having the highest number of children out of school in the world. Gross inequality in the provision of education has led to 8.2 million children out of primary school with many more dropping out within the first year. Over half of these children are in the north of the country. Girls suffer the most with many receiving just six months of education in their lives. The situation is made all the more appalling by the fact that Nigeria is far from poor, by African standards. On paper at least it is among the continent’s richest countries. But decades of failure to invest in education have left the basic school system hardly functioning. While there has been progress in primary provision of education, only one country in Africa has more than 50 percent of its children in secondary school.

The wealthy nations of this world by not trying to seriously reverse this unfortunate situation in the area of education are basically digging their own grave. Those increasing numbers of uneducated people in the world are an easy prey for religious fanatics and they will come and haunt the rest of us full force.

Combating terrorism not only requires weapons, but also an investment in education where it is needed most. That is really the only long term way of stopping the spread of terrorism.

EU-Digest 
For permission to quote or publish EU-Digest reports : editor@eu-digest.com  

British Ambassador in Yemen discusses yesterday's attack on the Embassy Car

Al Qaeda militants fired a rocket at a British Embassy car in Yemen yesterday. The Deputy Ambassador was inside and although she escaped unharmed, one of her colleagues was injured. It's the second time in six months that British officials have been targeted. A suicide bomber tried to kill the British Ambassador Tim Torlot in April.

For the complete interview go to: British Ambassador discusses yesterday's attack in Yemen

EU: "American Hedge and Private Funds in Europe are a swarm of locusts", says German politician

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner recently wrote to French finance minister Christine Lagarde warning her against curbing foreign hedge funds in Europe as the battle with Washington over new EU financial controls escalates. The correspondence, sent late on Tuesday and seen by Reuters, is felt in Europe as increased pressure on Paris and the EU to make concessions on planned new controls for private equity and hedge funds.

Officials familiar with the U.S. mindset said France's position had antagonized Washington, which is worried that American hedge funds will be blocked from operating in Europe. The officials said the EU challenge could undermine relations with Washington as Sarkozy takes over the chairmanship of the G20 from November.

Diplomats said last week that Germany had sided with French finance minister Lagarde, strengthening her position, but putting Berlin also in Washington's line of fire.   Geithner consequently sent a separate letter Germany outlining his concerns to finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on Tuesday.  Diplomats said Germany had offered its support to Lagarde on the understanding that Paris would side with it in negotiations about controlling country spending in the EU, a sweeping reform that on paper certainly overshadows hedge fund rules.

Brussels' attempts to change the rules for hedge funds, chiefly by putting them under the watch of a new pan-European supervisor, has taken on what one financial expert called a "totemic significance".  It  also put France and Germany directly opposed against Britain, which has always sided with the US in this respect  and defended an industry London sees as important for Britain's status as Europe's financial capital.

Not everyone agrees.  "I consider American hedge and private funds which occupy London's financial center and operate around Europe as a "swarms of locusts",  said a German politician

A European parliamentarian in Bruxelles who commented on the Geithner letters said: "this smells of  the US mingling in EU sovereignty over its financial affairs, which is unacceptable. It also raises the question why the US is so overly protective of those financial entities which have caused so much economic grief around the world".

EU-Digest
For permission to quote or publish EU-Digest reports : editor@eu-digest.com
Cartoon courtesy:  www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au

Hungary battles to stop toxic sludge from reaching the River Danube - by Daniel McLaughlin

Hungary opened a criminal investigation yesterday into an escape of deadly toxic sludge from an Aluminum industrial plant, amid fears that it could grow into a regional environmental disaster.

Four people were killed, about 120 were injured and three are still missing after a dam holding waste slurry collapsed at an alumina works in the south-west of the country, sending a wave of poisonous red mud racing through nearby villages and into a tributary of the River Danube.

Rescue teams are searching for the missing people, cleaning up the caustic grime and pouring tonnes of gypsum into the River Marcal to try to prevent contamination of the Danube, Europe's second-longest river, which from Hungary flows through Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova on its way to the Black Sea

.

For more: Hungary battles to stop toxic sludge from reaching the River Danube - Europe, World - The Independent

The Netherlands: Are Geert Wilders and his lawyer Bram Moskowicz trying to ridicule the Dutch legal system ? ©

It is interesting to see how Geert Wilders and his laywer Bram Moszokowicz  are trying to turn this court case against Wilders  into a public spectacle, and more important, how they are trying to move the focus of the trial away from the prosecution claims that Wilders not only used discriminatory language against a religious faith, but also singled out specific ethnic immigrants as being unwelcome in the Netherlands.

The statements made by Mr. Wilders, and  if proven in court that he made them, are punishable by Dutch law (art. 147 Sr, art.137c Sr and art. 137d Sr.8.).

Among some of the Public statements Wilders made :  "if Muslims want to stay here, they must tear out half the Quran and toss it."  and  "close the borders, no more Islamic people into the Netherlands, many Muslims out of the Netherlands, denaturalize Islamic criminals."

Dutch and most European laws are contrary to the US First Amendment doctrine, which considers freedom of speech as an overruling  constitutional right, and by law allows all forms of  public or private expressions, be it discriminatory, anti-religious, hate enticing, pro-Nazi, or whatever.

Therefore, if during this trial the court in Amsterdam falls into Mr. Moszokowiczs trap by letting the case move into a public discussion about the existing Dutch laws versus freedom of expression (as interpreted in the US), it could turn into a very long case and probably also have political implications.

On the other hand, it can be expected that given the fact that Mr. Wilders, who is being prosecuted under Dutch law, and based on the available evidence of what Mr.Wilders has stated in public, could be found guilty and go to prison.  ©

EU-Digest

US/EUeconomy: US Fed’s ‘Flood of Liquidity’ Causes Instability, Stiglitz Says - by Fabiola Moura and Cordell Eddings

Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning economist, comments on the effectiveness of U.S. monetary policy, and its impact on global growth. He made the comments in a roundtable discussion at Columbia University in New York.

“There is lots of instability caused in part by the flood of liquidity from the Fed and the ECB. The irony is that the Fed is creating all this liquidity with the hope that it will revive the U.S. economy. It is doing nothing for the U.S. economy and causing chaos for the rest of the world.”

Note EU-Digest: George Sorros  also spoke about the above issue at Colombia University. For the Sorro speech go to:  http://www.onenewspage.com/news/Business/20101005/15707319/Read-George-Soros-Speech-Where-He-Warned-Of.htm

US economy : For more: Fed’s ‘Flood of Liquidity’ Causes Instability, Stiglitz Says - BusinessWeek

The Netherlands: Geert Wilders hate speech trial to resume in Netherlands - by Marcel Antonisse

A special panel of judges rejected Tuesday claims of judicial bias raised by Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, who is facing charges of inciting hatred against Muslims. Mr. Wilders’s trial is now set to resume Wednesday morning led by the same presiding judge, whose impartiality was questioned by the vocally anti-Islam lawmaker when the trial opened Monday morning.

“There is no substantial evidence to show that the judges have given the impression of being biased, therefore the request is being denied,” said Frans Bauduin, one of the review judges.


“He is trying to turn the court into a podium for his political activities,” says Rudy Andeweg, a professor of Dutch politics at Leiden University. “He enjoys the attention. He wants a political trial but judges won’t have that.”

Wilders’s populist Freedom Party, which became the nation’s third-largest following the June elections, has already agreed to back a new conservative government headed by the free market VVD party.  Rebel Christian Democratic Alliance (CDA) legislators Kathleen Ferrier and Ad Koppejan also offered their support Tuesday for the new Dutch Government coalition, removing the last hurdle to establishing The Netherlands’ first postwar minority government. At the same time the dissidents said they would not agree with legislation proposed by Wilders during the life of the coalition, if these were based on racial or religious discrimination.


For more: Geert Wilders hate speech trial to resume in Netherlands - CSMonitor.com

Chinese renminbi puts disproportionate burden on EURO

EU Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn said today in Bruxelles that the euro and other area's economic recovery may suffer if the euro continues to appreciate against the Chinese renminbi and other major world currencies, and he urged China to let the value of the renminbi rise significantly.

Rehn, European Central Bank President Jean-Claude Trichet and Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the group of 16 nations that use the euro, met Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao ahead of a summit between the European Union and China.

"These reforms should be complimented by an increased flexibility and thus by a broad-based appreciation of the renminbi exchange rate in relation to its main trading partners, including the euro area," Rehn said.
"If the euro continues to bear a disproportionate burden in the adjustment of global exchange rates, the recovery of the euro-area economy might be weakened."

EU-Digest

Indonesian President cancels Netherlands visit over arrest threat

Indonesia's President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, has called off a state visit to the Netherlands because of a threat that he could be arrested. Mr Yudhoyono was reportedly already onboard his plane at Jakarta's airport on Tuesday when he decided to cancel the state visit.

"In recent days, a ( Moluccan) group has filed a request to the court to make an issue out of human rights in Indonesia and request the court to arrest me during the state visit to the Netherlands," he told reporters after wards.

"What I cannot accept is if the president of Indonesia makes a visit to the Netherlands, after an invitation from the Netherlands, the court decides to arrest the president of Indonesia."
 
For more: BBC News - Indonesia cancels Netherlands visit over arrest threat

"Charity begins at home" : The populist uprising against free trade - by Andrew Leonard

Participation in the global economy has never been more crucial ( say some), but left and right agree: "Boo to globalization".

A down economy always seems to go hand in hand with tensions over trade. And never mind the fact that so-called free trade pacts are really just vehicles through which powerful American corporate sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry seek to leverage access to American markets for their own specifically crafted opportunities. The phenomenon is that it reflects a much deeper distrust of engagement with the global economy that goes back a lot further than one appears prepared to admit. The economic argument for free trade -- that everyone benefits when countries maximize their
comparative advantage -- has little sway when the on-the-ground reality is that the winners from free trade in the Western World seem to be far outnumbered by the losers.
 
Growing income inequality and a progressively more squashed middle class have been in the works for decades. Yes, expanded trade with China has lowered consumer prices for all kinds of goods, but that doesn't compensate for the fact that job security is in tatters and the social welfare net is paper-thin.
People feel vulnerable, and vulnerability breeds fear. One wonders if it could all have been different -- if the U.S. had a comprehensive health-care system already in place that did not link your insurance to your job, or if tax policy didn't disproportionately favor corporations and the wealthiest Americans over the masses, would the average U.S. citizen feel less threatened by global competition? But it seems almost pointless to ask that question now. That ship has sailed. The damage is done and populists of every political stripe are itching for a trade war.

Note EU-Digest: as the saying goes, "charity begins at home".


For more: Bad timing alert: The populist uprising against free trade - Globalization - Salon.com

Pre-McNugget Meat Paste, AKA Mechanically Separated Chicken

Someone figured out in the 1960s that meat processors can eek out a few more percent of profit from chickens, turkeys, pigs, and cows by scraping the bones 100% clean of meat. This is done by machines, not humans, by passing bones leftover after the initial cutting through a high pressure sieve. The paste you see in the picture above is the result.

There's more: because it's crawling with bacteria, it will be washed with ammonia, soaked in it, actually. Then, because it tastes gross, it will be re-flavored artificially. Then, because it is weirdly pink, it will be dyed with artificial color.

But, hey, at least it tastes good, right? High five, America!

For more: PHOTO: Pre-McNugget Meat Paste, AKA Mechanically Separated Chicken

Golf: Europe Wins Ryder Cup

The American team almost overcame a 9½-6½ deficit on the first-ever Monday finish in the 83-year history of the Ryder Cup. But Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland beat Hunter Mahan in the final match to give the Europeans the needed 14 ½ points for them to regain the cup.

The Americans were trying to win the Ryder Cup for the first time on foreign soil since 1993. And they almost did. On the 16th hole, McDowell sank a slick downhill putt to go 2-up in his match with Mahan. At this point, the cup hung in the balance, with the score tied at 13 ½ to 13 ½.

The 35,000 fans on hand for the rain-delayed competition at Celtic Manor in Wales went ballistic. The huge gallery swarmed the fairways and greens and the European players and sprayed them with champagne, tossing out shirts and caps and memorabilia.

For more: Europe Wins Ryder Cup - Cybergolf

Banking Industry: Swiss Large Banks To Face Tougher Capital Ratios Than Basel 3

Credit Suisse and UBS should boost their capital in common equity to 10% by 2019, a stiffer requirement than the one contained in the Basel III accord announced last month, an expert panel appointed by the Swiss government proposed Monday.

Tougher capital standards than foreseen in the new Basel III regulation are aimed at addressing the too-big-to-fail problem that has been a particular concern for Switzerland with its two outsized banking giants. International Basel III rules will require banks to hold 7% of capital in common equity.

Under the new proposal for Swiss banks, systemically relevant Swiss institutions would have to boost their total capital to 19% of their assets, weighted according to risk. This compares with 10.5% required under Basel III.

For more: Swiss Large Banks To Face Tougher Capital Ratios Than Basel 3 | iMarketNews.com

Facebook matters more than your company website - by David Clarke

In this era of social media supremacy, it's imperative for a business to maximize its social media presence by focusing on designing and developing a Facebook page that clearly communicates the company's brand messaging.

A well-designed Facebook page may be the key to increasing your brand awareness, driving traffic to your company's website and engendering your customers' loyalty.
For the five reasons to consider Facebook first and a company website second click on the link below.

For more: Facebook matters more than your company website - Business Monday - MiamiHerald.com

The Rise of Europe's Right-Wing Populists - by MARKUS DEGGERICH, MANFRED ERTEL, JULIANE VON MITTELSTAEDT, MATHIEU VON ROHR, HANS-JÜRG

When the current French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, began his campaign in 2007, it was difficult to distinguish some of his rhetoric from Le Pen's. For example, he suggested that people who "slaughter sheep in their bathtubs" were unwelcome in France, and he won the election because he brought together votes from the right. Now Sarkozy will probably soon be confronted with a new National Front, a toned-down -- but perhaps more dangerous -- version of its former self. Marine Le Pen, the daughter of the party's founder, will campaign for the party's chairmanship in January and intends to create a party that could also appeal to the political center.

The transformation of the National Front is only one example of the new anti-Islamic mainstream among Western Europe's right-wing populist parties. This is the issue that unites all of these parties throughout Europe, which have even taken to borrowing each other's marketing ideas. For example, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) copied a game from the website of Swiss People's Party (SVP), in which players shoot at minarets popping up in their familiar landscape.

It is the shared concept of Islam as the enemy that now makes them ideological allies. Still, it is unlikely that these parties will continue to cooperate across borders in the future, despite Wilders' dream of spearheading such a movement throughout Europe. The "International Freedom Alliance" he established in July has two goals: to "defend freedom" and "stop Islam." In a video which is currently the only content on the alliance's website, Wilders says that he wants to pool the existing forces against Islam, in Germany, France, Britain, Canada and the United States.

For more: Continent of Fear: The Rise of Europe's Right-Wing Populists - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

Wilders trial tests new coalition - by Stanley Pignal

Geert Wilders, the anti-Islam politician and silent partner in the new Dutch government, is due in court this Monday to face charges of incitement to racial hatred, in a trial that will further strain the consensual style of Dutch politics.

The case comes as the Netherlands prepares for its first stable government since February after members of the Christian Democrat party approved a coalition agreement with the VVD Liberal party and Mr Wilders’ PVV at a divided party congress on Saturday. Though the far-right PVV will not receive any cabinet seats, it has agreed to support the new minority government in exchange for concessions on immigration, including a planned ban on the full Islamic veil announced last week.

The 47-year-old bleached-blond Mr Wilders is answering charges relating to his claims in a 2007 newspaper column that the Koran is “fascist”, and for encouraging Muslims to tear out pages of their holy book in a 2008 film. “Geert Wilders is convinced he has said nothing that is reprehensible,” Bram Moszkowicz, his lawyer, said.

For more: FT.com / Europe - Wilders trial tests new coalition

Golf: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe leading US 9.5 to 6.5 have victory in their sights

"I have always said it takes 12 to try to win a Ryder Cup. And all 12 on that course today performed brilliantly," he said. "And in my time, and it's been, what, 20 years since I first started playing in the Ryder Cup, I truly believe that was one of the greatest days for European golf that we have had. To turn a two-point deficit into a three-point lead was quite amazing today."

For more: Ryder Cup 2010: Inspired Europe have victory in their sights | Sport | The Guardian

Terror Warning In Europe? U.S. Weighs Travel Alert For Tourists Abroad

The Obama administration is considering telling U.S. citizens to be vigilant as they travel in Europe, updated guidance prompted by fresh al-Qaida threats, American and European officials told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Such a move could have negative implications for European tourism if travelers fear there's a possibility of terror attacks.

The State Department may issue a travel alert as early as Sunday advising Americans to stay vigilant as they travel through Europe because of fresh threat information.


For more: Terror Warning In Europe? U.S. Weighs Travel Alert For Tourists Abroad

Alternative energy: Obama touts clean energy push, criticizes Republicans - by Gerald Helguero

President Barack Obama criticized the Republican party's pledge for the upcoming election to eliminate clean energy development incentives, saying that doing so would cause job losses.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama touted his Administration's promotion of clean energy technology as a means to create hundreds of thousands of American jobs by 2012. He said the Republican pledge doesn't make sense

For more: Obama touts clean energy push, criticizes Republicans - International Business Times

Taxes, Income Tax, Tax Rates around the world

For a table of Tax rates around the world click on the link below.

For more: Taxes, Income Tax, Tax Rates, Tax updates Business News, Economy

Dutch far-right leader Wilders draws protest in Germany

More than 100 people demonstrated outside a Berlin hotel against the presence of Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders, who was in the country to give a speech, police said.

Wilders, who is due to stand trial in the Netherlands on Monday for inciting hatred against Muslims, was invited to give a speech at the Hotel Berlin in the German capital by a right-wing German politician.
A spokesman for Berlin's police said more than 100 people attended the protest organised by the Social Democrats and an association opposed to extreme-right politics, which passed off peacefully.

Protestors, outnumbered by around 250 police, brandished photos of the shock-blond Wilders that portrayed him with a moustache similar to that worn by Adolf Hitler. More than 100 people demonstrated outside a Berlin hotel against the presence of Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders, who was in the country to give a speech, police said.

Wilders, who is due to stand trial in the Netherlands on Monday for inciting hatred against Muslims, was invited to give a speech at the Hotel Berlin in the German capital by a right-wing German politician.
A spokesman for Berlin's police said more than 100 people attended the protest organised by the Social Democrats and an association opposed to extreme-right politics, which passed off peacefully. Protestors, outnumbered by around 250 police, brandished photos of the shock-blond Wilders that portrayed him with a moustache similar to that worn by Adolf Hitler.

For more: Dutch far-right leader Wilders draws protest in Germany < Dutch news | Expatica The Netherlands

EU 'must spend €1 trillion' on electricity grid - by Jennifer Rankin

The European Union must spend €1 trillion by 2020 on upgrading the electricity grid system if it is to meet its climate-change goals, according to a leaked report from the European Commission.

This is the first estimate from the Commission on how much spending on grid and infrastructure is needed if the EU is to stay on track to get 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

For more: EU 'must spend €1 trillion' on electricity grid | European Voice

Aircraft Industry: Turkish Air Contemplating Double Decker Aircraft Purchase

Turkish Airways Europe's fourth largest carrier does not have enough aeroplanes to meet its expansion plans, the airline's Chairman Hamdi Topcu told the Star Newspaper last week. To determine the next course of action, the airline is conducting feasibility studies on double-deck aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and soon-to-be-released Boeing 747-8.

Turkish Airlines currently has a fleet of 142 aeroplanes. The 2011 target is 184. So far, an order for 89 planes has been placed, including 24 wide body aircraft designed for long-haul flights.
Turkish Airlines is a member of Star Alliance and offers UK travellers direct flights to Istanbul.

For more: Turkish Air Contemplating Double Decker Aircraft Purchase - Just the Flight Travel News

Netherlands: Maxime Verhagen, diplomatic, screwed and political strategist could very well become Wilders worst nightmare

Maxime Verhagen, appointed new parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Party (CDA), following the worst defeat the party had ever suffered  in Dutch general elections, reducing the CDA party in the country from no 1 to 4th, is a man to be reckoned with..

People who know Verhagen well say this diplomatic, screwed and clever Verhagen could very well become the worst nightmare for Geert Wilders in the new Dutch minority coalition

Verhagen was born in Maastricht. on September 14, 1956. He studied at Leiden University where he obtained an M.A. in history in 1986. For a brief period during his college years, Verhagen affiliated both with leftish-radicalism and the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). He joined the CDA in 1976. So far during his career he occupied several local and national government positions and was the minister of foreign affairs in the last Balkenende Government

Today around 4,500 party members gathered in Arnhem to decide whether to accept the governing agreements drawn up by CDA leader Maxime Verhagen for this minority coalition with the conservative VVD supported in parliament by Geert Wilders' anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV). Two agreements were negotiated. One is the coalition agreement between the VVD and the CDA and the other sets out the terms under which the PVV will support the coalition.

This particular CDA congress, which made it possible for the membership to speak out and vote on the validity of the agreements, already can be seen as a democratic bonus point for the CDA and the public at large, in comparison with Geert Wilders "one man show",  full of  populist, nationalistic, anti-religious "sound-bites", without any substance.  While the CDA congress was going on in Arnhem, Wilders was in Berlin where he was invited by former Berlin Christian Democratic Union member René Stadkewitz, who is engaged in forming his own party, Die Freiheit (Freedom). Geert Wilders has been the main inspiration of the German project says René Stadkewitz and was a guest speaker.

During the CDA Arnhem Congress many prominent Christian Democrats and party members argued against any form of cooperation with the Wilders Freedom Party. Among the dissidents, two former prime ministers, and past and present cabinet ministers. When as expected the party comes out in favor of the political deal today, some party members and officials are warning that the remaining strong opposition within the CDA could immediately threaten the stability of the new government which, including the support of Wilders his party, only has a majority of just one seat in parliament.

Contrary, however, to the belief of many political in-and-outsiders, and comments in the Dutch press, this might not be the case.

The  new coalition not only turns Geert Wilders into a "king maker", but also makes Maxime Verhagen a "power player" to be reckoned with. Verhagen, who represents the smallest party within this three party  "political marriage of convenience", can now not only publicly expose the PVV of  Geert Wilders as an unreliable partner, but also put pressure on the inexperienced Mark Rutte and his VVD to comply with some of the wishes of the CDA. If he plays the game right Verhagen could even pull his party the CDA out of the slump they are in now, and make them shine again in the next election.

The most important question, however,  that remains in this scenario, and that time can only tell will be,  whom of the three partners will be the one who eventually steps out of this new political "marriage of convenience" first and becomes the big winner in the next Dutch national election?  Don't be surprised if it turns out to be the CDA of Maxime Verhagen.

EU-Digest

Sarkozy to propose security and economic treaty between the EU and Russia

President Nicolas Sarkozy is set to propose a new security and economic relationship between Europe and Russia during his meeting with the Russian President along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Deauville this month. The president aims to bring Russia closer to EU to form a single zone of security and economic cooperation, according to some officials. Sarkozy believes the relationship will be apart from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

France will take over the presidency of the Group of 20 in November during which Mr. Sarkozy plans some initiative that aims to transform the group to a platform for major economies to focus on long term coordination. The president has been carrying out discussions with the officials in China about issue relating to exchange rate. Mr. Sarkozy plans a new monetary system for the world including a new body to monitor movement of currencies.

American officials are skeptical over plans to discuss the security issues with Russia without the presence of the US. They say they will oppose any move to dilute the importance of NATO however will bring Russia closer to the alliance.

For more: Sarkozy to propose security and economic between Europe and Russia | French Tribune

Golf: Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - by Steve DiMeglio

Rain showers, cool weather and strong winds wreaked havoc on Friday's opening day of the 38th Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. So much so that Mother Nature's dark side has forced a change in the schedule.

A suspension of play lasting more than seven hours at the waterlogged Twenty Ten Course in the Usk Valley forced Ryder Cup officials from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to consider a variety of options to ensure completion of the match-play competition between the USA and Europe.

For more : Rain wreaks havoc at Ryder Cup; USA leads in two matches - USATODAY.com

Europe's shrinking public sector - by Gavin Hewitt

It has been another bad week for Europe's public sector. Portugal announced it would cut civil servants' wages by 5%.

The Republic of Ireland has put a figure on the giant black hole in its banking sector and the public sector unions know that further cuts are on the way, when the budget is delivered in December. The Irish Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan, did not pull his punches: "a fundamental reappraisal of the public sector will have to take place".

In the UK unions are holding their breath for the spending review on 20 October.
Most of the cuts are not made from conviction that a smaller public sector would be beneficial; they are driven by necessity, the necessity to reduce budget deficits. Some like the Tea Party in the United States argue for smaller government. You don't hear much of that in Europe.

Note EU-Digest: the new Dutch government which is in its final stages of formation announced it would be cutting approximately 20% of the Dutch civil service force.



For more: BBC - Gavin Hewitt's Europe: Europe's shrinking public sector

Euro tops $1.37 for 1st time since March

The euro hit a six-month high against the dollar on Friday, climbing above $1.37 for the first time since March after upbeat data from China offered cheer on prospects for the global economy.

The dollar rose as high as $1.3763 before slipping back to $1.3728 in midday European trading. That was well clear of the previous five-month high of $1.3683 that it hit on Thursday.

A survey Friday showed that growth in Chinese manufacturing picked up pace in September, adding to evidence that the country's economic recovery remains on track.

For more: Euro tops $1.37 for 1st time since March - BusinessWeek

US Politics: T-Party is a The Tea Kettle Movement - by Thomas Friedman

There are actually two Tea Party movements in America today: one you’ve read about that is not that important and one you’ve not read about that could become really important if the right politician understood how to tap into it.

The Tea Party that has gotten all the attention, the amorphous, self-generated protest against the growth in government and the deficit, is what I’d actually call the “Tea Kettle movement” — because all it’s doing is letting off steam.

The Tea Kettle movement can’t have a positive impact on the country because it has both misdiagnosed America’s main problem and hasn’t even offered a credible solution for the problem it has identified. How can you take a movement seriously that says it wants to cut government spending by billions of dollars but won’t identify the specific defense programs, Social Security, Medicare or other services it’s ready to cut — let alone explain how this will make us more competitive and grow the economy?

And how can you take seriously a movement that sat largely silent while the Bush administration launched two wars and a new entitlement, Medicare prescription drugs — while cutting taxes — but is now, suddenly, mad as hell about the deficit and won’t take it anymore from President Obama? Say what? Where were you folks for eight years?

For more: Op-Ed Columnist - The Tea Kettle Movement - NYTimes.com

UN: Suriname's Bouterse feels Obama snub at UN in New York - by Rickey Singh

UN: Suriname's newly-elected head of state, Desi Bouterse, received a diplomatic snub from President Barack Obama on his current visit to New York for the new session of the United Nations General Assembly.

 

President Bouterse according to informed sources was the only head of government of the 14 independent member countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) to have been excluded from the US president's traditional reception for foreign leaders attending the start of a new session of the UN General Assembly.

Suriname's (a former Dutch colony which became independent in 1975) controversial President Desi Bouterse is a convicted drug trafficker, who seized power in 1980 following a coup d’état and ruled until 1987, when he stepped down because of international political pressure. He briefly seized power again in 1990, following a second coup d’état. He and 11 others are currently also being tried in a military court for the killing of 15 opponents in 1982 while he was head of a military junta.

For more: Bouterse feels Obama snub in New York - Breaking & Current Jamaica News - JamaicaObserver.com

Germany: Qatar, Germany sign accord on renewable energy

HH the Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani received at his residence in Berlin yesterday German Minister of Economy and Technology Rainer Bruederle and his accompanying delegation. Areas of co-operation between the two countries and ways to enhance them were reviewed during the meeting.

Following the meeting, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Energy and Industry in Qatar and German Ministry of Economy and technology on scientific and technical co-operation in the areas of new and renewable energy.

The two sides also signed the minutes of the second session of the Qatari-German joint Economic Committee, besides a letter of intent to open a German commercial office in Doha.

For more go to : Gulf Times – Qatar’s top-selling English daily newspaper - Qatar

Golf: European Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor

If the European team are to have a cutting edge at the Ryder Cup, then captain Colin Montgomerie knows they will depend on a good performance by the man dubbed the heir to Tiger Woods. 

Rory McIlroy might be be playing in the competition for the first time but the man with the most distinctive locks since Miguel Angel Jiminez' ponytail is key to European hopes.

Yes, the past few years have seen him play such scintillating golf that many seasoned observers believe he has the game to be the best in the world and a multiple major winner.

For more: BBC News - Ryder Cup team ready to mop up at Celtic Manor: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Soccer - European Champions League: Lyon, FCK make it two as Inter and Spurs hit four on

Away wins for Olympique Lyonnais and FC København put them on six points from two UEFA Champions League matches on a night when FC Internazionale Milano and Tottenham Hotspur FC both scored four goals – watch all the night's action.

Holders Inter and newcomers Tottenham both achieved their feats in Group A. Samuel Eto'o starred for the Nerazzurri as he scored three and made the other for Wesley Sneijder in a 4-0 defeat of SV Werder Bremen. Joining them on four points, Tottenham beat FC Twente 4-1 in their home UEFA Champions League debut, all the goals coming in the second half.

For more details: Lyon, FCK make it two as Inter and Spurs hit four on UEFA.COM

Airline Industry - Airline cartel including Air France, KLM, Martin Air faces huge EU damages claim - by Nikki Tait and Jane Croft

The largest European claim for damages resulting from cartel behaviour will be launched on Thursday when a writ is served on KLM and Air France.

A group of companies led by Philips of the Netherlands and Ericsson of Sweden will allege they have suffered more than €400m ($545m) of damage as a result of price-fixing by KLM, Martinair and Air France. Lawyers advising the companies, however, say the total sum is likely to top €500m once interest is included.

International competition watchdogs have been investigating a worldwide cartel, based around air freight traffic rates for the past four years. In countries such as South Korea, Australia, Canada and the US, almost two dozen airlines – including KLM, Air France and Martinair – have admitted involvement in illegal activities going back to 2000 and faced substantial financial penalties as a result. Air France and KLM merged in 2004, but retain separate legal identities.

For more: FT.com / Companies / Airlines - Airline cartel faces huge EU damages claim

Netherlands: Angela Merkel unhappy with make-up of new Dutch government - other European reactions also not favorable

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told a committee of MPs she will do her best to work with the new Dutch government, although she regrets its make-up, Reuters reports on Thursday.

Merkel, a Christian Democrat, pointed to the EU sanctions against Austria when the extreme right-wing Jörg Haider joined the cabinet.

'Isolating Austria was not very successful and did not help the European idea,' she said. Geert Wilders' anti-Islam PVV will play the role of silent partner in the new Dutch coalition, influencing policy and supporting government measures but not providing ministers.

Former Belgian prime minister Luc Dehaene told RTL news a cabinet involving the PVV is a danger to democracy.

For more: DutchNews.nl - Angela Merkel unhappy with make-up of new Dutch government

Wave of strikes cripples Europe as workers vent fury at budget cuts - by Anita Brooks and Vanessa Mock

Workers across Europe yesterday vented their anger against government spending cuts and tax hikes that unions said would punish the poor.

Rallies were called in 13 capital cities and millions of Spanish workers went on strike in a mass action that hobbled public transport, paralysed building work and left streets littered with uncollected rubbish. 

Some 100,000 workers, including German miners and Polish shipbuilders, brought Brussels to a standstill to protest against savage spending cuts they claimed would make workers the biggest victims of an economic crisis that they are blaming on bankers and traders in the financial markets.

For more: Wave of strikes cripples Europe as workers vent fury at budget cuts - Europe, World - The Independent

Netherlands: Dutch far-right party set to be part of a minority government

Months after elections left the Netherlands without an elected government, two center-right parties say they have reached an agreement with the far-right, anti-Islam Freedom Party of Geert Wilders on forming a government.

VVD leader Mark Rutte is likely to become the Netherland's next prime minister. "Geert Wilders in his non-government supporting role will hold the key to the success or fall of the new Dutch Government."

News reports quoting unnamed sources and the state information office said a formal coalition agreement could be signed today and presented to Queen Beatrix's official representative on Thursday.

For more: Dutch far-right party set to be part of a minority government | Europe | Deutsche Welle | 29.09.2010

Terror plot targeting Europe uncovered - by Sam Reeves

Western intelligence agencies have uncovered an al-Qaida plot to launch Mumbai-style terrorist attacks in Britain, France and Germany, reports said Wednesday.

Militants based in Pakistan were planning simultaneous strikes in London and major cities in France and Germany, Britain's Sky News television reported, citing intelligence sources.

It was "one of the most serious al-Qaida attack plans in recent years" and was inspired by the terror group's fugitive leadership in Pakistan's tribal areas, said the BBC.

For more: Terror plot targeting Europe uncovered: Reports

Shell increases oil trade with Iran – despite sanctions

Shell, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant, paid the state-owned Iranian oil company at least $1.5bn (£0.94bn) for crude oil this summer, increasing its business with Tehran as the international community implemented some of the toughest sanctions yet aimed at constricting the Islamic republic's economy and its lifeline oil business.

Sensitive trading documents seen by the Guardian show the UK-registered company stepped up its orders of Iranian oil at a time when other major buyers, including BP and Reliance Industries, India's largest conglomerate, halted orders amid impending trade sanctions aimed at curbing Tehran's perceived desire to acquire nuclear weapons.

Shell is not accused of acting illegally because the sanctions – enforced by the US, UN and EU – stopped short of banning the import of Iranian oil. But its trades with the state-owned oil company, a major contributor to the finances of a government which has made its nuclear programme a priority, are likely to expose Shell to growing political pressure.

For more: Shell increases oil trade with Iran – despite sanctions | World news | The Guardian

One day Turkey will run the EU - by Wolfgang Bohn

Turkey isn’t even a member yet, but deputy prime minister Ali Babacan is already demanding a leading role in Europe for his country. All you have to do is look at Turkey's economic and demographic growth to see it's likely to get what it wants, says Die Presse.

'When Turkey becomes a member of the EU, it is not going to be in a secondary position, that's one of the reasons why countries like Germany and France are quite nervous about our membership,' Turkish vice-premier Ali Babacan declared at a World Leadership Forum in New York during the recent UN plenary session. "

Note EU-Digest:  Wishful thinking ....

Presseurop – English

Britain: New labour Leader Ed Milibands optimistc speech : "ready to lead a new generation"

"Freedom and opportunity are precious gifts and the purpose of our politics is to expand them, for all our people. That faith is not something I chose. It's not something I learned from books, even from my Dad's books. It was something I was born into."

"I come from a generation that suffered school lessons in porta-cabins and crumbling hospitals. I tell you one thing, for the eighteen years they were in power the Tories did nothing to fix the roof when the sun was shining. Our legacy is a generation for whom newly built schools and modernised hospitals are an everyday fact of life. I am proud of the fact that because of what we did, yes we did save the National Health Service in this country."


"You saw the worst financial crisis in a generation, and I understand your anger that Labour hadn't changed the old ways in the City which said deregulation was the answer."


"This generation wants to change our economy so that it works better for working people and doesn't just serve the needs of the few at the top. This generation wants to change our society so that it values community and family, not just work, because we understand there is more to life than the bottom line. This generation wants to change the way government works because it understands the power of the state to change lives but also how frustrating it can be if not reformed."

"This generation wants to change our foreign policy so that it's always based on values, not just alliances."

Note EU-Digest: an excellent optimistic speech  by Ed Mileband which can serve as an example for every moderate European politician to take in combating the rising wave of nationalistic right-wing doomsday rhetoric.

For the complete speech click on this link : Labour conference: Ed Miliband speech in full | Politics | guardian.co.uk

Railroads: German Siemens Velaro High-Speed Train Coming to Florida

Siemens announced plans to present its vision of U.S. high-speed rail to the people of Florida with its "Future of Florida High-Speed Rail Tour," a traveling exhibit featuring a full-sized model of the Siemens Velaro high-speed train. The tour kicks off Oct. 7, 2010 with a special VIP event at Tampa's MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry).Siemens today announced plans to present its vision of U.S. high-speed rail to the people of Florida with its "Future of Florida High-Speed Rail Tour," a traveling exhibit featuring a full-sized model of the Siemens Velaro high-speed train. The tour kicks off Oct. 7, 2010 with a special VIP event at Tampa's MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry).

For more: Siemens Velaro High-Speed Train Coming to Florida -- TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/

The Netherlands: Will new Dutch "Wilders Cabinet" return Dutch troops to Afghanistan?

The US Government and NATO want to start immediate talks with the possible new right-wing Dutch Government under the "cloaked" leadership of nationalist anti-immigrant  politician Geert Wilders. This was confirmed by Ivo Daalder, the US ambassador to the NATO, during an interview with the Dutch news service NOS.

Earlier this year the former Dutch government of PM Balkenende was toppled as a result of  its dispute with the labor party PVDA, who were part of the Balkenende Government coalition.The Labor Party  was unwilling to extend the stay of Dutch troops in the Afghanistan Uruzgan area beyond the formally agreed date of 2010  The PVDA  wanted the troops brought home as scheduled while the CDA of Balkenende wanted more time to study the matter.  

Netherlands troop support for NATO forces in Afghanistan was approved by the Dutch Government in 2006. Estimates show the Netherlands, which at the peak of its involvement in Afghanistan had about 2000 troops there, has already spent approximately 3 billion euros, seven times more than was actually planned on the Afghanistan mission. The Netherlands has a total population of 16 million.

Given the possibility of the CDA now becoming part of  the new right-wing Dutch government, the likely-hood of the Netherlands re-committing to the Afganistan war effort seems pretty likely.

EU-Digest

Insurers Warn of European Pension Crisis

Europe's big life insurers are warning that a growing "pension gap" will lead to a deterioration in the quality of life for many Europeans, a trend that opens up possibilities for private market pension providers.
According to a new study by U.K. insurance group Aviva plc, Europe is now facing a 1.9 trillion euro pension gap. That figure is equivalent to 19% of the European Union's 2010 gross domestic product, and "indicates that unless individuals increase their savings for retirement the majority will face a seriously reduced standard of living once they retire," Aviva said.

At the country level, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain have the biggest pension gaps, at 379 billion euros, 243.5 billion euros, 468.8 billion euros and 170.5 billion euros, respectively, according to Aviva.

For more: Insurance News - Insurers Warn of European Pension Crisis

Millions of French Internet users can pay a price for piracy network

With countries taking broadly different approaches to the problem, French MEP Marielle Gallo has now called on the European Commission to seize the subject in hand by making a directly enforceable EU-wide copyright law which would make copyright infringers accountable.

The creative industry has praised the progress highly which endures a revenue loss and jobs through against the law file sharing.

Before this year a study by French consultancy TERA into Internet piracy in Europe’s music, film and television and software industries found that piracy could locate more than one million people out of work by 2015. In Spain it seems that the dependability for protection copyright is being put definitely on the shoulders of the copyright owners themselves.

For more: Millions of French Internet users can pay a price for piracy network | French Tribune

Czech Republic: Speech of the President of the Czech Republic at the General Debate of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly

My country is deeply convinced that the structure of the United Nations needs to be different too. Especially the Security Council needs to be reformed to reflect the geo-political, economic and demographic reality of the 21^st century. It is frustrating that the discussions about such reform have been going on for the past 16 years without results. It is time to come with concrete results and my country is ready to support them.

Changes of that kind are necessary, but – on the other hand – something must continue without changes. I don’t think that the UN needs to search for a new mission.

The goals of the United Nations should remain those defined in the original UN Charter:
- to maintain international peace and security;
- to develop friendly relations among nations;
- to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems.
For more: Speech of the President of the Czech Republic at the General Debate of the 65th Session of the UN General Assembly | Václav Klaus

Make sure you check out SURE

is a compilation of press reports as well as market research conducted  in a cooperative effort  by KOSTER Verzekeringen b.v.,  - a Dunn and Bradstreet top level 1 rated  insurance company, and Europe House, Inc.,  - a non-profit corporation fostering a better global understanding of the European Union, its member states, and policies, through a variety of avenues. The focus of the material collected and published in Sure ! mainly pertains to the insurance industry as it relates to the overall global economic climate, social structure and political environment.

The most recent issue of Sure! (September 2010) deals with recent developments in the international insurance industry, including news on a proposal done by re-insurers concerning future BP-type blowouts and an overview of the most important European political highlights, in addition to a selection of global economic issues.

Make sure you check out SURE ! and get a free subscription.

EU-Digest

Europe strikes out in austerity drive - by Roddy Thomson

Radical European plans to fine governments that hide from painful cuts crash headlong into strikes and protests this week as labour leaders flag up the human cost of austerity.
A bid to force the 27 European Union nations to deposit billions of euros with Brussels, that would be forfeited in the event of failure to tighten national spending, will be laid out to finance ministers starting crunch talks on Monday.

Detailed proposals will be made public on Wednesday, when millions are expected to take part in a general strike across Spain and 100,000 protesters are tipped to march against "austerity" in Brussels. Radical European plans to fine governments that hide from painful cuts crash headlong into strikes and protests this week as labour leaders flag up the human cost of austerity.

"Let's not focus too much on the size of the sanctions," the spokesman for EU economic affairs commissioner Olli Rehn, who is driving the bid to get tough, said as diplomats said of the plans' scope. "It's the effectiveness of the proposals we set out next week (that matter)," Rehn's pointman said.

For more: Europe strikes out in austerity drive

US November Elections: Republicans In Congress Get Worse Marks Than Democrats On Job Performance, Economy Poll shows

The Associated Press-GfK Poll this month shows that the public is fed up with both parties. Only 38 percent approve of how congressional Democrats are handling their jobs, and just 31 percent like how Republicans are doing theirs. Fifty-nine percent are unhappy with how Democrats are nursing the economy, 64 percent are upset by the GOP's work on the country's top issue.

More than half have negative views of each party. Most say Obama isn't cooperating enough on the economy, but even more accuse Republicans of the same thing. And former President George W. Bush and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin – the only two Republicans the AP-GfK Poll tested – are significantly less popular than Obama.

For more: Republicans In Congress Get Worse Marks Than Democrats On Job Performance, Economy (POLL)

"EU Set a Secret Group to Save the Euro" , says WSJ

Two months after Lehman Brothers collapsed in the fall of 2008, a small group of European leaders set up a secret task force—one so secret that they dubbed it "the group that doesn't exist." Its mission: Devise a plan to head off a default by a country in the 16-nation euro zone.

When Greece ran into trouble a year later, the conclave, whose existence has never before been reported, had yet to agree on a strategy. In a prelude to a cantankerous public debate that would later delay Europe's response to the euro-zone debt crisis until the eleventh hour, the task force struggled to surmount broad disagreement over whether and how the euro zone should rescue one of its own. It never found the answer.

The Wall Street Journal says investigation, based on dozens of interviews with officials from around the EU, reveals that the divisions that bedeviled the task force pushed the currency union perilously close to collapse. In early May, just hours before Germany and France broke their stalemate and agreed to endorse a trillion-dollar fund to rescue troubled euro-zone members, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde told her delegation the euro zone was on the verge of breaking apart, according to people familiar with the matter.

Note EU-Digest: It seems like the Rupert Murdoch owned corporate news empire including the Wall Street Journal are competing among themselves in who is the best at bad-mouthing the EU, while being cheered on by the financial world and its Wall Street Casino network

For more: EU Set a Secret Group to Save the Euro - WSJ.com

Golf - Wales: Ryder Cup rookies may prove decisive

Attention may focus on stars like Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood at the Ryder Cup, but the fate of the trophy could well be decided by the rookies that line up at Celtic Manor.

Of the 24 players who will battle it out in Wales, nearly half - six for Europe, five for the United States - will be getting their first experience of the rarefied atmosphere of Ryder Cup golf.

US skipper Corey Pavin has useful advice for the "new boys" aiming to help the Americans win the Ryder Cup on foreign soil for the first time since 1993.

Newport Golf Club is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious golf courses in South Wales having recently hosted a number of major Welsh and National Amateur events.  The Club is a well established members club, situated on the outskirts of Newport, some 6 miles to the west of the Celtic Manor Resort which is currently gearing itself up to host the Ryder Cup 2010.  The Club recently celebrated its centenary in 2003 and is well represented and highly regarded within Welsh Golf. Newport Golf Club is unquestionably a Welsh golfing must, an obvious choice for those wishing to enjoy a beautiful yet challenging course and experience the friendly and welcoming hospitality of a traditional member's club.  

For more: Ryder Cup rookies may prove decisive - The Times of India

Genetically Modified Food Is Dangerous: Europe in a pickle over GM crops rules - Roddy Thomson

As America chews over a bid to market "Frankenfish" salmon, Europe wants to drop scientific objections to genetically modified (GM) crops in a move even its backers admit leaves a strange taste.

With the GM industry and its opponents each sharpening their legal claws, European nations will debate a proposed rule change on Monday that would allow officials to accelerate authorisations for 15 new transgenic crops while letting those who want to keep them off their territories do so.

The continent is deeply divided on the GM issue, which has crept back up the agenda after Germany's BASF "accidentally" sowed seed from an unauthorized potato in Sweden and a furore in Britain about milk and meat from cloned cattle entering the food chain.

Note EU-Digest: Europe must vote NO to approving Genetically Modified Food and not cave in to the pressures imposed by the powerful Chemical and Food Industry lobby. 
 

For more: Europe in a pickle over GM crops rules

US Economy - Fed Statement--Will Print More Money If Stock Market Declines

In plain English the Fed announced that they will print more money if the SP 500 declines substantially. Nothing like an explicit Fed guarantee to support asset prices. First reaction from the market seems positive with the SP 500 reversing most of its losses.

You can really see how determined the Fed is in its pursuit to create inflation. How stable prices and positive inflation are compatible is beyond me. I thought truly stable prices meant 0% inflation, but then again I care about the purchasing power of the dollar. The Fed obviously does not. The dollar is getting smacked in the minutes after the Fed statement. EUR/USD is over 1.32. Gold futures hit record high. Ahh--more competitve currency devaluations, just like the 1930's.

For more: Fed Statement--Will Print More Money If Stock Market Declines | Black Swan Insights: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Glaxo's Avandia drug for diabetics pulled from Europe - by Rachel Cooper

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has said that it expects minimal sales of Avandia in future after European regulators said the diabetes pill should be withdrawn from the market and America's medicines watchdog placed major restrictions on the drug.

The almost simultaneous rulings from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) marked an attempt to draw a line under the debate over the safety of Avandia, which has dogged GSK for three years.

For more: Glaxo's Avandia drug pulled from Europe - Telegraph

Turkey far ahead of EU in creating employment, Deputy PM and Economic Minister Ali Babacan says

According to Deputy Prime Minister and State Minister for Economy Ali Babacan, Turkey largely outpaced the European Union, which it aspires to join, in terms of creating employment in the second quarter of this year.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Foreign Policy Association in New York, Babacan noted Turkey’s employment figures increased by 1.6 million and the unemployment rate dropped by 2.6 percent in the April-June period of 2010 from a year ago. At the same time, however, the total number of unemployed within the EU grew by 1.8 million in the same period according to EU statistics body Eurostat, Babacan told the audience during Wednesday’s meeting.

he impact of the global financial crisis driven by the credit crunch in the US was most keenly felt in Turkey in the field of employment last year when its jobless rate hit a record high of over 16 percent in February 2009 and was calculated at 14 percent for the entire year. However in June of this year, the rate of unemployment, one of the primary indicators of economic performance, dropped to 10.5 percent according to the latest official data. Government authorities and observers believe the sharp decline in the rate will continue through 2011 as the common expectation is that it will return to pre-crisis levels hovering around 8-9 percent in nine months at the latest.


For more: Turkey far ahead of EU in creating employment, Ali Babacan says

EU Says It Remains Confident Ireland Will Meet Fiscal Targets - by Andrew Clapham

The European Commission is confident that Ireland will take the necessary measures to meet its fiscal targets, commission economics spokesman Amadeu Altafaj told reporters in Brussels today.

Altafaj said the commission has no further comment to make on Ireland’s economy shrinking 1.2 percent in the second quarter from the first quarter. The contraction in Irish gross domestic product was announced by the country’s statistics office yesterday.

For more: EU Says It Remains Confident Ireland Will Meet Fiscal Targets - BusinessWeek

The Netherlands: "Jesus is not allowed to save you in the County of Giesenlande, Province of South Holland"

A local Dutch newspaper Almere Vandaag, recently reported  that a  Dutch farmer, Joop van Ooijen, who lives in the County of Giesenlande, Province of South Holland and owns a farm and home next to the A15 highway was in trouble with his local government council, because he had painted in white letters the text - Jesus Saves on his roof.

This Christian slogan apparently was not to the liking of the Giesenlande County Council, who fined Joop van Ooijen euro 15.000 and summoned him to remove the text based on what they said were local zoning regulations and make his farm more "compatible (blend in) with the surrounding environment".  Joop van Ooijen then changed the color of the text from white into red and orange. 

 

Following the change of color of the text  the Giesenlande County Council, at the instigation of councilman Jan de Groot of the council VVD  fraction (the party which won the June 2010 national Dutch elections) wrote Joop van Ooijen that the change of color of the text was still not acceptable and threatened him with further fines and prosecution. 

These kinds of actions by any Government or their local representatives, have very little to do with the "compatibility of the surrounding environment", but all about the freedom of expression and religion. This is not acceptable, especially not in the Netherlands or the EU, where secularism, freedom of expression and the freedom of religion is a basic right for every citizen. Regardless of what Mr. Wilders, the anti-Islam - anti-immigration Dutch politician says. The fact is that no individual is more equal than the another. ...And what makes this local government interference even more bizarre, is that the text in question was painted on a private property. Joop van Ooijen could just as well have painted the text "Long live the Dutch soccer team" or "My dog is the best dog in the world" on his roof. That is his right..

If you are concerned about what appears to be an erosion around the globe of human rights, including freedom of expression and freedom of religion, you can show your concern by taking action wherever you are and where it counts. In this particular case e-mail the County of Giesenlande at the following address: info@giessenlanden.nl :attention Mr. Jan de Groot - councilman with a copy to  the Province of South Holland - attn: Danielle Bolton at: secrveldhuijzen@pzh.nl and voice your concern. 

EU-Digest

Netherlands: "The Wilders Cabinet", a Ménage à trois or a one man show?

It looks like Geert Wilders (PVV), Mark Rutte (VVD),  and Maxime Verhagen of the CDA will  soon be forming a new Dutch right-wing cabinet  If it really happens, and no-one seems totally sure, it will be a first in Dutch political history where the controlling political faction ( PVV of Wilders) in this extraordinary coalition will be operating as an "outside supporter" of the government, but wielding most of the power

If this Wilders Cabinet comes about  it can only count on a majority of one, with the "de facto PM" Wilders still as free as a bird to spout all his one-liner derogatory comments around, but this time with the blessing of VVD's Mark Rutte and CDA's Maxime Verhagen.  One Dutch politician called this possible new coalition Government  a "Ménage à trois turning into a one man show".        ( Mark Rutte)
 
(Maxime Verhagen)  In a taste of what is to come Geert Wilders said he felt his party came under attack by the Dutch Queen when in a speech on the occasion of an annual Dutch ceremony celebrating the opening of the new parliamentary year, she referred to the need for a 'stable government' , interpreted by many as pointing the finger at Wilders.

In the speech, the queen also got into "hot water" again when she said: 'That requires give and take, tolerance and also adaptation. This is the responsibility of us all.'   Following the Queens remarks Wilders told the press: 'We have to get rid of this sort of political correctness.

' The queen's speech to Parliament, written by the outgoing PM Balkenende, also contained details of proposed budget cuts for the upcoming parliamentary year. Among the numerous budget cuts announced  it was also revealed that Dutch royalty is included in the "bite" of these budget cuts. Members of the royal family, other than the Queen and her direct heir, will now have have to pay inheritance and gift taxes, and  pay all expenses for personal travel.

EU-Digest

The Reborn Nazi's : Austria’s far right riding anti-Islamic wave in elections

Far-right parties are boosting their influence across Europe amid anti-Islamic agendas and calls for tougher immigration laws.

Such rhetoric has helped elect the Sweden Democrats to parliament for the first time. Now the right-wing Austrian Freedom Party is fueling nationalism in its campaign, hoping for resurgence this weekend.

The "Bye Bye Mosque" game was released by the Freedom Party as part of its bid for election into regional government in Styria – Austria's second largest province – and the game’s message has hit a raw nerve. The aim is simple: take aim and shoot down as many new mosques as you can, as they rise relentlessly above Austria's Alpine skyline. If you are not quick enough, the country is Islamized.

For more: Austria’s far right riding anti-Islamic wave in elections - RT Top Stories

US Economy: Will Debt Trigger US Collapse? - Niall Ferguson

Harvard historian Niall Ferguson predicts that within the next five years, the U.S. will be spending so much on interest payments, it will have to slash defense spending. "Military retreat from the mountains of the Hindu Kush, or the plains of Mesopotamia," Ferguson warns, "has long been a harbinger of imperial fall."

For more: Niall Ferguson: Will Debt Trigger US Collapse?

EU: Green light to tighter financial oversight by EU Parliament

The European Union Parliament has approved new financial oversight institutions aimed at preventing another financial crisis like the one that led to massive bank bailouts at taxpayer expense.

The parliament overwhelmingly backed the plan to set up watchdog boards for the financial markets, banking and insurance sectors in addition to a European board to make sure the EU can avoid new crises.
The institutions should become active at the beginning of next year.

Parliamentary approval in Strasbourg, France, was the last hurdle for the plans, which were hailed as a major step forward in EU-wide financial management. The EU member states had already approved them earlier this month. "This is a historic watershed," said Finance Minister Didier Reynders of Belgium, which currently holds the EU presidency.

For more go to: AP

Canada: Documentaries Set Sights on abuses of Wall Street

Several films now playing at the Toronto International Film Festival, and set to open in theaters around the United States in the next few months, offer a brutal assessment of the debt-swapping high jinks, regulatory failings and general spirit of self-aggrandizement that, by the movie world’s lights, led to the financial collapse of 2008.

Two documentaries, “Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer,” directed by Alex Gibney, and “Inside Job,” from Charles Ferguson, take direct aim at Wall Street powers who are described as contributing to the financial implosion. The films also land some shots on Mr. Spitzer, the watchdog who became governor of New York and who fell from grace in a prostitution scandal but has now been somewhat rehabilitated as a host on CNN.

“Client 9” is set for release on Nov. 5 by Magnolia Pictures. “Inside Job” will be shown at the New York Film Festival later this month, then will be released commercially by Sony Pictures Classics in October. A third film, “Casino Jack,” directed by George Hickenlooper, casts Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff, the former businessman and lobbyist who was sentenced to federal prison after a conviction for defrauding Indian tribes and contributing to official corruption.


Note EU-Digest: Its good to have these films out. Will it change much of the Wall Street casino culture, probably not. What would work, which hardly anyone wants to mention or tackle, is to putting some of the culprits in jail and getting some really effective laws in place to see this does not happen again.


For more: Documentaries Set Sights on Wall Street - NYTimes.com

The Angry Rich and Taxes - by Paul Krugman

If you want to find real political rage — the kind of rage that makes people compare President Obama to Hitler, or accuse him of treason — you won’t find it among these suffering Americans. You’ll find it instead among the very privileged, people who don’t have to worry about losing their jobs, their homes, or their health insurance, but who are outraged, outraged, at the thought of paying modestly higher taxes.

For more Op-Ed Columnist - The Angry Rich and Taxes - NYTimes.com