European Union

Stories 301 - 320 | << Prev   Next >>

EU Bans Assad's Wife From Travel, Shopping

Asma Assad will likely have to tone down free-spending ways

(Newser) - It may not mean much to the forces fighting Syria's government, but it's something: The EU decided today to impose sanctions on first lady Asma Assad, Reuters reports. That means she is no longer welcome for travel and her beloved shopping sprees, adds AFP . She and about a...

US, EU Launch New Google Privacy Probes

FTC investigates breach of Safari browser settings

(Newser) - Last month, it emerged that Google was skirting privacy settings on Apple's Safari browser; now federal, state, and European Union officials are investigating the since-halted practice, which centers on the installation of tracking files. Google faces a $16,000 fine per violation per day—which could add up to...

Sarkozy Threatens to Exit Schengen

His campaign flagging, French Prez tacks to the right

(Newser) - With Nicolas Sarkozy trailing his Socialist rival in the polls, the French president moved sharply to the right in a fiery speech yesterday, blasting the EU, insisting on stricter immigration policies, and calling for a "Buy EU Act"—otherwise, France could withdraw from the Schengen accords, which allow...

To Bust Glass Ceiling, EU Weighs Gender Quotas

Just 13.7% of major firms' boards are female

(Newser) - Only one in seven board members at Europe's biggest firms is female, and the EU Justice commissioner aims to change that. "Self-regulation so far has not brought about satisfactory results," Viviane Reding says. She's begun a public consultation on how to address the matter, and legislation...

EU Signs New Fiscal Treaty
EU Signs New Fiscal Treaty 
Mar 2, 2012 3:14 AM CST

EU Signs New Fiscal Treaty

It's an attempt to prevent euro countries from running up huge debts

(Newser) - The leaders of 25 European states today signed a new treaty designed to prevent the 17 euro countries from living beyond their means and prevent a repeat of the currency union's crippling debt crisis. The leaders hope the accord, known as the fiscal compact, will also lead the way...

Syria: 89% Approved New Constitution

West not convinced, though much of opposition may have boycotted

(Newser) - Syria's new constitution was backed by more than 89% of voters, the nation's Interior Ministry announced today, even as violence continues to rage across the country and the West decries the referendum as a sham . The Interior Ministry claims that more than 57% of Syria's 14 million...

Eurozone Set to Finalize Greece Bailout

Finance ministers inching closer to a $171B deal

(Newser) - Eurozone finance ministers met in Brussels today, in a meeting that they believe will finalize a $171 billion second bailout for Greece, in exchange for roughly $264 billion in Greek government bonds. "I'd like to assume that we will come to a final and definitive agreement tonight,"...

Iran to EU: We're Ready for Nuclear Talks

Country reveals latest nuclear advancements

(Newser) - Following yesterday's display of its nuclear prowess , Iran says it's ready to resume talks over its nuclear program. In a letter to the European Union obtained by CNN , Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed re-starting the talks as soon as possible. Yesterday, the country showed off new centrifuges, with the president...

Talks Falter as Greece Warns: We Can't Take Any More Cuts

Bailout discussion foundering despite austerity deal

(Newser) - Greece has made "superhuman" efforts to comply with EU and IMF conditions, but it just can't make any more cuts, the country's public order minister says. An austerity package was passed over the weekend, sparking violent protests across the country , but bailout talks with EU finance chiefs...

Moody's Cuts Rating of 6 European Nations

Britain, France warned that triple-A is in danger

(Newser) - Moody's has followed fellow ratings agency Standard & Poor's lead with a mass downgrading of European credit ratings. Spain, Italy, Portugal, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia—all of whose ratings were cut by S&P last month —were downgraded a notch. The agency also revised its outlook on...

Satellites, Drones Spy on Europe's Farms

EU using eyes in the sky to spot subsidy fraud

(Newser) - Satellites and spy drones are scanning farmland in the European Union, and their findings can lead to something nearly as damaging as an air strike: a subsidy cut. The EU spends billions every year in farm subsidies, and eyes in the sky are increasingly being used as a tool to...

Greece Axing 15K Public Jobs

Country caves to creditors' demands

(Newser) - As politicians in the US debate the merits of smaller government, Greece's creditors are forcing it to shrink its public sector. Greece has agreed to cut 15,000 government jobs by the end of this year, and 150,000—a fifth of the total—by the end of 2015....

China Refusing to Pay EU Airspace Carbon Tax

Will Europe stop flights?

(Newser) - China is prohibiting all of its airlines from paying the EU's new carbon tax, a standoff that is likely destined for a World Trade Organization unfair trade practice suit, reports the BBC . The long-planned European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme came into effect the first of the year, and...

Czechs, Brits Reject Deal to Save EU Economy

Critics attack European Union's fiscal belt-tightening deal

(Newser) - The Czechs thought about it, and they said no. All other 27 EU member states except Britain agreed today to join a compact to impose budget discipline on fellow nations, the BBC reports. British Prime Minister David Cameron had already refused to take part, saying that ceding control of his...

Iran: Hey, Wanna See Oil Hit $150 a Barrel?

Tehran says EU's embargo will spike global prices

(Newser) - Iran is getting ready to vote today on banning oil sales to the EU —you know, before the EU can enact an embargo on aforementioned oil —and Tehran is engaging in some typical sabre-rattling, with the head of Iran's state oil company predicting global crude prices will...

Portugal May Need a 2nd Bailout

Country's troubles likened to Greek crisis

(Newser) - In order to pay back $11.6 billion in debt, Portugal needs to re-enter capital markets next year—and as it stands, that's looking like a tall order. The deadline isn't until September 2013, but the International Monetary Fund could call on the country to release a financial...

EU Rolls Out Embargo on Iran Oil

May also freeze central bank's assets

(Newser) - The European Union today rolled out its embargo of Iranian oil, adopting the measure as what Britain's foreign secretary called "an unprecedented set of sanctions" designed to crack down on the country's nascent nuclear program. Existing contracts for crude oil and petroleum will be honored until July,...

Greece Hires Out Ancient Ruins to Raise Cash

The Acropolis, the temple of Delphi, and Parthenon going for $2,070 a day

(Newser) - Debt-stricken Greece is taking an unprecedented step and exploiting its own magnificent history to raise cash and help its crippled economy. The Guardian reports that Greece is offering up its architectural masterpieces, including the Acropolis, the temple of Delphi, and the Parthenon, as backdrops for movies, commercials, and photo shoots—...

EU Sues &#39;Authoritarian&#39; Hungary
 EU Sues 'Authoritarian' Hungary 
Jan 18, 2012 4:17 AM CST

EU Sues 'Authoritarian' Hungary

Legal action challenges 'Viktator's' effort to consolidate power

(Newser) - The European Union has given Hungary a legal slap in the face over what it sees as moves toward authoritarianism. The EU's executive body has launched legal action over the country's new laws governing its central bank, judiciary and data protection authority, reports the Wall Street Journal . Hungarian...

Iran to Kill Internet Within Weeks

Will launch a 'halal' domestic intranet in its place

(Newser) - As fresh sanctions and economic turmoil loom, Iran has launched its harshest crackdown on the Internet yet, the Wall Street Journal finds. Internet cafes have been told they have 15 days to install security cameras and begin collecting information on users. Many sites have been blocked and Iranians may soon...

Stories 301 - 320 | << Prev   Next >>
Most Read on Newser