“Just last week, the Belgian and Dutch data protection authorities announced an inquiry into alleged unauthorised access to the SWIFT servers; I wholeheartedly welcome this,” said Dutch MEP, Sophie in’t Veld (D66, ALDE). “The main server is located in the Netherlands, and SWIFT headquarters are based in Belgium,” said in’t Veld, adding: “The Dutch authorities […]
It’s Democracy, Dam It Brazil!
Amazon deforestation increased by 28% between August 2012 and July 2013. Brazil’s Environment Minister, Izabella Teixeira, said the government is trying to reverse this “crime” – much like the ruling party has tried to reverse charges against politicians and businessmen convicted in the nation’s biggest corruption trial. Jose Dirceu, Chief of Staff to former President, […]
EU Industrial Production Down On The Month, Up On The Year
In September 2013 compared with August 2013, seasonally adjusted industrial production1 fell by 0.5% in the euro area2 (EA17) and by 0.2% in the EU282, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In August3 industrial production increased by 1.0% and 0.6% respectively. In September 2013 compared with September 20124, industrial production rose by 1.1% in the euro area and […]
Brutal Reality of Colombian Peace Negotiations Unveiled To Deputies
Women are the first to suffer the brutality of war and are largely ignored during peace negotiations. “This state of affairs must change,” said Nahla Valji, New York office of UN Women. Valji was speaking at the European Parliament at a debate on the inclusion of women within the current Colombian peace talks. Valji said: […]
The Slim Summit. Barroso Gets Refit And Focused On SMEs
David Cameron is always convinced the EU is losing a few pounds, but more evidence of health fads at the Commission emerged post-Summit. Gone was mention of a well-toned financial Six-Pack, but, wait for it, we’re all buzz with REFIT… Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, is King of the Political Treadmill, but everyone […]
Digital Single Market By 2015… Upload ‘Optimism’ File.
The Digital Single Market is expected to be completed by 2015. It stands as a key priority on the Lithuanian EU Presidency agenda, said Lithuania’s President Dalia Grybauskaitė. But if there’s one thing politicians don’t understand very well, just one thing, it’s the digital world – ask Obama, or ask Merkel if you haven’t got Obama’s […]
Suspend EU-US Bank Data Transfer Say MEPs, Response To NSA Snooping
The EU should suspend its Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) agreement with the US in response to the US National Security Agency’s alleged tapping of EU citizens’ bank data held by the Belgian company SWIFT, says a non-binding resolution voted by Parliament on Wednesday. The resolution, tabled by the S&D, ALDE and Greens/EFA groups, was […]
Lady In Waiting. Aung San Suu Kyi Receives The Sakharov Prize
Myanmar/Burma militant and parliamentary opposition leader finally received the Sakharov Prize, awarded to her in 1990, at a ceremony in Strasbourg on 22 October. Ms Suu Kyi was released from house arrest three years ago. The prize was presented at a special ceremony during the plenary session, chaired by European Parliament President, Martin Schulz. “You […]
Civil Liberties MEPs Prepare Stronger Data Protection For EU
A major overhaul of current EU data protection rules, to put people in control of their personal data while at the same time making it easier for companies to move across Europe, was voted by the Civil Liberties Committee on Monday. Responding to mass surveillance cases, MEPs inserted stronger safeguards for data transfers to non-EU […]
EU / Canada Conclude Trade Deal Negotiations
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have reached a political agreement on the key elements of a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) after months of intense negotiations between EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Canadian trade Minister Ed Fast. It will be the first free trade agreement between the […]