Almost a week after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, the European Union has finally decided who will collect the award. Rather than one person making the trip to Norway on Dec. 10, the EU has decided it will send three people: one to represent each of its main institutions: the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament.
The European Union will soon move forward with a financial transaction tax (FTT), European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Monday, as he also spoke in favour of Euro-bonds.
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Spain rose by 112.269 in January, taking the overall figure to 4.7 million. Spain’s unemployment rate stands at 22.9%, the highest in the 17-nation Euro-zone.
Moody's cut the credit ratings of two French banks Wednesday because of their exposure to Greece's debt, highlighting growing risks to Europe's financial sector from the deepening euro zone sovereign debt crisis.
Asian stock markets have slumped on Friday, extending a global equity sell-off after Wall Street had its worst day in more than two years. Japan's main Nikkei 225 index shed 3.4% to 9,329.75. South Korea lost 4.2%, Australia slid 2.4% and China's Shanghai SE Composite Index was down 2%.
European Union leaders said Croatia is ready to become the bloc’s 28th member, signalling peace in the Balkan region.
The European Commission will recommend that EU member governments finalize accession talks with Croatia, clearing an important hurdle on Zagreb's path to joining the 27-strong bloc.
The Ulster Farmers’ Union has raised concerns over the current trade deal being discussed between the European Union and Mercosur. UFU beef and lamb chairman Ray Elkin said: “The potential for a Mercosur trade deal is of great concern to the UFU, and could have a devastating impact on Northern Ireland’s beef sector in particular.”