For half a century together
Written on 22 March 2007 by webmasterYesterday in Italy the official solemn actions, devoted to the EU’s 50th anniversary, have been started. On March, 25th celebrating will come to the end with signing of the Berlin declaration which should become original resumes of semicentenial European history in German capital.
Angela Merkel wishes to use the Berlin declaration for the beginning debate about revival of the stopped process on acceptance of the European constitution; however some countries insist, that this question was not mentioned in the document. Let’s remind, that the project of the European constitution has been signed by 25 states - members of EU in October, 2004, however its ratification by all countries of the European Union is necessary for the introduction of the document by virtue. For today the constitution has been approved only by 16 of 27 states.
European Pessimism
The western press has rather originally congratulated EU with its anniversary, having noted, that the Europe now is in a stage of decline. The Financial Times newspaper together with Harris center have carried out the research, the results of which testify to pessimistic moods among Europeans. 44 % of respondents in the Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain consider that the level of their life has gone down after entering the EU. The opposite point of view is supported only with 25 %. However, thus about 40 % of the interrogated have not spoken against a possible secession from the European family.
The idea of reanimation of the European constitution project is approved with 35 % of respondents, 27 % of respondents are against this idea.
Google will change system of context advertising
Written on 21 March 2007 by webmasterGoogle Company tests the new system of context advertising. The New York Times informs that according to the new rules, the advertiser pays only in case that after transition under the advertising reference the user was registered in advertised service, has filled the questionnaire or has bought firm’s production of the.
The present systems pf online-advertising foresee payment of each display of a banner or transition under the reference to a site of the advertiser irrespective of, whether that he has received profit on such advertising. Google will change system of context advertising
American banks are getting rid of credits
Written on 21 March 2007 by webmasterTo sell the credit - means to survive. So some hypothec companies of the USA are now acting. In experts’ opinion, creditors in many respects are guilty in a crisis situation in the market. Delivery of money to the citizens, unable to provide the duty - is a way to a precipice. Rescue is seen on sale of loans to stronger in the financial status companies.
Credits have already been resold for the two billions dollars sum. Thus the hypothec companies try to save up cash means in order to avoid bankrupting.
The European Union has prolonged sanctions against Belarus for a year
Written on 20 March 2007 by webmasterThe EU Council has prolonged sanctions concerning Belarus till April, 10th, 2008. The representative of the EU’s mass-media service has informed that the Council has made a decision concerning prolongation of restrictions on entrance and freezing of the accounts entered in the past to year concerning separate representatives of authorities of Belarus, in view of a situation in the country for one year.
The reasons for curtailing of bilateral (EU-Minsk) relations are caused by authoritative tendencies of Belarusian President’s authority, especially, the infringement of the opposition’s rights and infringement of human rights in the republic. The EU still does not recognize the results of presidential elections in Belarus in March, 2005.
In April, 2006 the European Union has forbidden Alexander Lukashenko and 30 Belarus officials to enter the EU’s territory. In May, 2006, the sanctions against Belarusian government have been toughened - all Lukashenko’s and his 35 functionaries’ bank accounts in the European banks have been temporary closed. The EU Council has reserved the right to expand the list of the Belarusian officials concerning whom the specified restrictions and measures are taken.
Angelina Merkel insists on economic union between the EU and the USA
Written on 19 March 2007 by webmasterThe European Union and the USA should unite economic power. Such information has been declared today by German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the international conference on transatlantic partnership.
From Merkel’s point of view ( of the head of the government of Germany is presiding in the European Union) joint activity of business-structures of the Europe, the USA and Canada have much stronger power and influence, than their “single” struggle and it will allow to make a lot of “reasonable” economic reforms in the world.
Angel Merkel has called to do away with existing obstacles and to strength cooperation in development of new products. Merkel considers that closer transatlantic partnership will allow opening a new era in attitudes between the EU and the USA.
At the same time the German Chancellor has warned against unilateral steps in the defensive policy on a background of plans of the USA to place elements of the system of antimissile defense in the East Europe. Merkel has declared that it is always necessary to attach significance to frank discussion of all questions to avoid intensity and nobody can separately cope with new calls. On Merkel’s belief, it concerns both the European Union and the USA.
If the prices for oil fall, OPEC will take new emergency measures
Written on 18 March 2007 by webmasterThe Iranian Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri-Hamaneh has declared that in case of falling of the world prices for oil the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will lead an emergency meeting and will take new measures.
Thus he has added that if the prices for oil will be kept at an operating level, OPEC will not undertake any additional measures on their change. The minister has made such application on results of session of the OPEC countries oil ministers in Vienna on March, 15th.
At this session oil ministers have made a decision to keep an existing level of extraction of cartel and they are measured to recommend it at the OPEC’s conferences.
It is worth of mentioning that since February, 1st 2007, the official quota of oil recovery for 10 countries of the cartel (excepting Iraq and Angola) is fixed at 25, 8 million barr./day.
N.B.: nowadays 12 countries have their membership right in the OPEC, these are Algeria, Angola, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. About 67 % of the world reconnoitered stocks of oil is concentrated in these countries.
It is also worth of mentioning that, that the price of OPEC’s oil “basket” as of March, 15th, for the first within the last five trading days has risen on 6 cents and has made US 57, 20 dolls./barr. At the same time the price of “basket” has not essentially changed.
Portugal has approved merge of banks for 4, 3 billion euro
Written on 17 March 2007 by webmasterAntimonopoly bodies of Portugal have approved prospective purchase of Italian Banco BPI by the Portuguese Millennium BCP bank for 4, 3 billion euro. In such way the authorities have confirmed the preliminary, decision accepted in the beginning of March 2007.
The agreement, representing hostile absorption, can be arranged at observance of some “terms and obligations”. So, BCP bank should sell 60 branches, and both BCP and BPI are to get rid of the shares in the company - the emitter of credit cards Unicre - after end of merge. Besides the incorporated bank which is to become the largest one in Portugal, should sell fine and the average sized firms a portfolio of credits in cost 450 million euro. Neither Millennium nor BPI makes comments on the decision of the Portuguese authorities.
Millennium BCP offers 5, 7 euros per each BPI’s share; however analysts consider that the transaction hardly will take place at such price. According to the preliminary expectations, that Millennium will increase the sum of the offer after the official registration, BPI’s shares have up to record 6, 82 euros grown this week.
Millennium’s offer has been rejected by basic BPI’s shareholders, among which Spanish La Caixa (25 %), Brazilian Itau bank (about 25 %) and German insurer Allianz (8, 8 %) are represented.
It is worth of mentioning that up to 2006 the foreign investors had no access to the Italian bank system because of the Italian protectionist policy. Recently, the situation has changed for the better- and in the past to year the Dutch bank ABN Amro has merged Banca Antonveneta and French BNP Paribas has merged Banca Nationale del Lavoro.
UNO’s resolution gives 60 days to Iran 60 on settlement of all requirements
Written on 15 March 2007 by webmasterThe project of the new resolution across Iran, brought into the UN Security Council, calls Teheran to execute immediately requirements of the previous resolution number 1737, the main thing of which is a suspension of enrichment of uranium. The text of the document, coordinated by the “six” (Russia, the USA, China, France, the Great Britain and Germany), is widespread in the United Nations.
The project allocates 60 days to Teheran on execution of UN requirements.
The project of the new resolution provides introduction of sanctions concerning 10 state Iranian companies and three companies which are being management of the case of Guards of Islamic revolution - the elite military division submitting directly to the Iranian president.
All these companies appear in the appendix to the resolution as involved in development of nuclear programs or creation of ballistic missiles. Sanctions are offered to be entered against 15 physical persons. They are the eight high-ranking heads of state companies, and they are also seven key figures in the case of Islamic Revolution.
Aston Martin is sold to Arabs
Written on 14 March 2007 by webmasterFord has found the buyer for Aston Martin. Contrary to hearings that the legendary British company the French manufacturer of the goods of a premium-class will buy Louis Vuitton, Aston Martin has been sold to Englishmen. According to the official version - now Aston Martin is in the Arabian sheikhs’ possession.
Last year Ford, which now faces huge financial problems, has estimated Aston Martin in $925 million and it is obvious, that Ford will sell not all company entirely - Americans have decided to reserve approximately 8 % of Aston Martin. The tenders for other shares were being held for a very long time. As a result, the control over James Bond’s favorite trade mark has received a consortium of investors for $848 million.
This consortium is headed by the racer David Richards. Ha has not just won the world championship on rally, but now he also supervises Prodrive company, which specializes on preparation for racing and on sports cars.
However, the basic financial charges will be incurred not by Richards, and two Kuwaiti investment companies - Investment Dar and Adeem Investment Co. (plus John Sinders - the collector of Aston Martin cars and millionaire will be also included into this business).
The Europe will judge Apple for music
Written on 13 March 2007 by webmasterRepresentatives of Eurocommission have scarified system of protection against the copying, used by Apple at sale music on the Internet. Now the business concerns only penalties, however a number of countries can start proceedings against the company. Nevertheless, Apple tries to shift the responsibility on Sony BMG, EMI, Universal and Warner.
The eurocommissioner on protection of consumers’ rights has found out the infringement of the consumers’ rights that the music bought in the Internet-shop iTunes Music Store can be listened only on iPod players. The reason is simple - both iTunes and players are advanced by Apple Company. In other words, a technology of digital management of copyrights DRM (Digital Rights Management) which interferes with reproduction of the files loaded with iTunes, on any devices, except for a player iPod, is under the threat. Thus the eurocommissioner marks, that there are no similar restrictions on musical compact disks (CDs).
The eurocommissioner was not the first who has lifted a question concerning DRM, used by Apple, and the infringement of consumers’ rights. Earlier the representatives of consumers’ rights in France, Finland, Germany and Norway spoke about the same problem.
Norway (that is not the EU member-state) has even promised to start investigation of Apple’s activity if the company will not cease to use the system of protection of files from copying till October, 1st, 2007.
