E.U.

Europe Closer To Adding Hezbollah To List Of Terrorist Organizations

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 11:02

The E.U. is moving closer to listing Hezbollah as a terrorist organization after France began pushing to add the group's militant wing to the list. Britain and Germany both said they would support such a move as well.

France has historically been reluctant to add the group because it feared destabilizing the Mid-East and its former colonial territory of Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based.

But recently Hezbollah has openly declared support for the Syrian government lead by Bashar al-Assad and began providing armed personal to join the fight in Syria.

European Union Calls For Boycott Against Israel

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Wed, 02/27/2013 - 17:20

The European Union has called for a boycott by all 27 members of Israel, specifically boycotting purchasing products that were made in the Judea and Samaria territories.

Many Europeans see the Judea and Samaria territories as an illegal occupation by Israel in the West Bank.

There have been an increasingly number of anti-Semitic actions within the E.U. over the last year, including calls within Hungry to require all Jews in the government to register themselves saying they are a threat to the state, and neo-nazi members winning elections in several E.U. parliaments.

European Leaders Call Off Budget Talks With No Agreement After Several Countries Balk At Deep Cuts

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 11/23/2012 - 13:18

European Leaders have failed to reach a budget deal and ended their conference early citing the improbability of an agreement with several nations balking at the deep cuts Germany and Britain have proposed.

E.U. Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that while an agreement now seemed unlikely, he believes a deal can be reached when they meet again in early 2013.

Leaders are trying to agree on the new seven year 2014-2020 budget.

More Violent Strikes Across Europe Protesting Budget Cuts And Tax Increases

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 11/15/2012 - 06:13

Much of Europe remained mired in a strike today that has seen strikes and violent protests spread from Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece to countries like France, Belgium and Germany.

Demonstrators have been unhappy with deep government cuts to government pensions, salary cuts to government jobs, and tax increases on everyone, some so steep, as much as 55%, it forced bankruptcies and suicides for those with no savings and already living on the end.

E.U. Suspends Emissions Trading Scheme For Some Airlines Prompting Threats Of New Lawsuits

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Wed, 11/14/2012 - 07:49

The E.U. announced it has voted to suspend its controversial Emissions Trading Scheme, or carbon tax, on international airlines.

As international pressure grew on the E.U., and being faced with already approved economic trade sanctions and penalties against E.U. nations by several countries including China and Brazil, the E.U. buckled under pressure and suspended the ETS program for international airlines flying into or over E.U. airspace.

E.U. Close To Imposing Harsher Sanctions On Iran

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 10/12/2012 - 16:19

Brussels-

European nations are closer to imposing new and harsher sanctions on Iran including a ban on most financial transactions, exporting metals and graphites -crucial in steel-making to Iran and import ban on natural gas from Iran.

The agreement is likely to pass on Monday when Foreign Ministers gather in Brussels to vote on the sanctions.

An EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the new measures include a ban on financial transactions, with some exceptions for those involving humanitarian aid, food and medicine purchases and provisions for legitimate trade.

Iran Arrests 16 "Main Players" As Its Rial Value Plummets Causing Riots

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Thu, 10/04/2012 - 13:35

As the value of Iran's currency, the Rial, continues to fall to historic lows due to sanctions and riots break out, state security services have arrested 16 people it says have been manipulating the Rial.

The Iranian judiciary said those arrested "had used an atmosphere of psychological war created by the enemy" and colluded with "certain domestic and foreign groups" to exacerbate conditions."

Ahmadinejad, in a speech this week, also said blamed "22 ringleaders" who the country's intelligence services have determined are causing tension and manipulating currency.

Antonis Samaras Sworn In As New Prime Minister Of Greece Following Vote

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Wed, 06/20/2012 - 12:05

Following a national vote this past Sunday, the new Greek Prime Minister, Antonis Samaras, was sworn in earlier today. Samaras belongs to the New Democracy party which narrowly won in the national elections to form a new government and decide whether Greece will stay in the Euro-zone or leave.

Samaras graduated from Harvard and studied additional economics in the U.S. as well. He was sworn in during a short candlelight ceremony at the presidential palace in Athens in front of Greek Orthodox clergy members.

Spain Requesting $100 Billion Euro Bailout This Weekend Say E.U. Finance Ministers

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Sat, 06/09/2012 - 11:42

[UPDATE: 6-10-12: 10:20am]
Spain has requested up to $125 billion euros to bail out its ailing banking industry. Investors across Europe were relieved at the bailout request in which many feared Spanish pride would prevent them from asking. Spain is the largest of the nations so far asking for bailouts and is Europe's fourth largest economy. Unlike Greece, Spain's government spending is under control, the private banking sector is what's in trouble after failing to solve the real estate fall out of 2008.

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Russia Begins Retaliation Over The E.U.'s Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme; Denies Overflights

Submitted by News Desk 2 on Fri, 06/08/2012 - 21:38

Russia has denied European airlines overflight routes from Europe to Asia as part of its retaliation to the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme, ETS, for carbon emissions. This move makes Russia the latest in a long line of countries enacting retaliatory measures or considering such, 30 nations have joined the Delhi Declaration opposing the E.U.'s emissions tax including China, Russia, India and the U.S.

Both Lufthansa and Finnair had applied for more overflights to meet rising demand for cargo and passenger traffic between Europe and northern Asia.