LONDON | While the average German bank deposits have returned some $130 per $1,000 since 2008, the Cypriot figure almost doubles it. Yield information like this throws a very different light over what is happening this week in Cyprus.
NEW YORK | If the same deal had taken place on this side of the Atlantic during the TARP (bank rescue program), some US media stated on Monday, we would have seen the Armageddon.
MADRID | By Antonio Sánchez-Gijón, capitalmadrid.com | This so-called “best solution” brings a huge question marked attached to it: how secure are bank deposits in Italy, France or Spain?
BRUSSELS | By Ann Mettler | The worst response to the Italian elections would be not to speak the truth, to cave in to the idea that somehow “austerity” is to blame for the current woes, that once again breaking the rules of the Stability and Growth Pact would somehow improve the situation.
The Czech Republic was targeted in a string of cyber attacks last week. Why? As a small country with a relatively developed Internet infrastructure, it is an ideal testing ground for hackers who are planning to hunt for bigger prey, say Internet experts.
BRUSSELS | by Eberhard Rhein | However important balanced budgets might be for Europe in view of its rising social charges, in particular the huge burden resulting from an ageing population, Germany does not deserve praise for having precipitated the balancing of its budget.
ISTANBUL | Although a member of numerous regional and international organisations, Turkey is still not in the EU, despite negotiations dating back some 50 years. Öztin Akgüc wonders if the the country has missed its chance to become anything more than an auxiliary to US foreign policy in the Middle East.
By Ralf Grahn, EU affairs advisor | This time around, are the heads of state or government going to send a credible message to the growing numbers of the unemployed on the road to long term joblessness and social exclusion?
By Hans Kundnani, editorial director at the European Council on Foreign Relations | The Netherlands can help maintain Europe together and to find a way to reconcile British and German interests in order to keep the UK in the EU.
From Presseurope.eu | By Daniel Oliveira | More than a million people of all ages took to the streets of Portugal on March 2 to demand an end to austerity. The growing discontent could bring down the political system that has been in place since the fall of the dictatorship.