Romania's opposition Liberal Democrats and Social Democrats are running neck-and-neck in general elections, partial results show. With 93% of the vote counted, President Traian Basescu's centrist Liberal Democrats (PDL) had won about 33%. The ex-communist Social Democrats (PSD) had also taken 33%, while the ruling National Liberals (PNL) polled 18%. Tough coalition talks are expected if these figures are confirmed, as none of the parties would have a majority. Earlier, exit polls predicted that the Social Democrats would win the elections - the first polls since Romania joined the EU at the beginning of last year.
Romania's opposition Liberal Democrats and Social Democrats are running neck-and-neck in general elections, partial results show.
With 93% of the vote counted, President Traian Basescu's centrist Liberal Democrats (PDL) had won about 33%.
The ex-communist Social Democrats (PSD) had also taken 33%, while the ruling National Liberals (PNL) polled 18%.
Tough coalition talks are expected if these figures are confirmed, as none of the parties would have a majority.
Earlier, exit polls predicted that the Social Democrats would win the elections - the first polls since Romania joined the EU at the beginning of last year.
Saying that, "Privacy protection in authoritarian states is a matter of life or death," Jules Maaten, a Member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands, joined with seven colleagues to send letters to the major European internet and telecommunication companies to call on them to sign a voluntary human rights code which was recently developed and signed by the American Internet companies Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft, even though those companies operate in China and have agreed to be censored by the government there, which has been severely criticised for human rights violations. Nevertheless, Maaten said, The letters were sent to the CEOs of France Telecom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, BT, KPN, Skype, Nokia, Ericsson, Eutelsat, and Vodafone, among others.
We have a saying in the UK, "people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" keep to the Fen Causeway
The global credit crunch has sparked a debate about joining the euro among "people who matter in Britain," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said. Speaking on a French RTL radio and LCI television show on Sunday (30 November), Mr Barroso argued that the entry to the eurozone of some EU member states who had previously strongly opposed the move is "now closer than ever before." President Barroso (r) says UK officials are warming up to the euro (Photo: European Community) Print Comment article "I'm not going to break the confidentiality of certain conversations, but some British politicians have already told me, 'If we had the euro, we would have been better off'," he said. "I don't mean to say that it will be tomorrow and I know that the majority in Britain are still opposed, but there is a period of consideration under way and the people who matter in Britain are currently thinking about it", the former Portuguese prime minister added.
The global credit crunch has sparked a debate about joining the euro among "people who matter in Britain," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said.
Speaking on a French RTL radio and LCI television show on Sunday (30 November), Mr Barroso argued that the entry to the eurozone of some EU member states who had previously strongly opposed the move is "now closer than ever before."
President Barroso (r) says UK officials are warming up to the euro (Photo: European Community)
"I'm not going to break the confidentiality of certain conversations, but some British politicians have already told me, 'If we had the euro, we would have been better off'," he said.
"I don't mean to say that it will be tomorrow and I know that the majority in Britain are still opposed, but there is a period of consideration under way and the people who matter in Britain are currently thinking about it", the former Portuguese prime minister added.
Delegates from 186 nations are in Poznan, Poland today (1 December) to launch 12 days of talks designed to bring forward an international deal to tackle climate change. But the conference is currently overshadowed by an EU internal row over how to share the 'effort' of reducing CO2 emissions."Even if it is too early to expect major breakthroughs, the Poznan conference must shift gear from exploratory discussions to concrete negotiations," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas stated on 28 November. There are hopes that Poznan, which runs from 1-12 December, will produce a text, accompanied by a detailed work programme, that can provide the basis for detailed negotiations to prepare for a global deal during the December 2009 conference in Copenhagen.
"Even if it is too early to expect major breakthroughs, the Poznan conference must shift gear from exploratory discussions to concrete negotiations," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas stated on 28 November.
There are hopes that Poznan, which runs from 1-12 December, will produce a text, accompanied by a detailed work programme, that can provide the basis for detailed negotiations to prepare for a global deal during the December 2009 conference in Copenhagen.
French politicians and newspapers reacted with shock and consternation yesterday to the brutal pre-dawn arrest of a senior newspaper executive over a relatively trivial libel case. [..] Politicians, including a spokesman for President Sarkozy's centre-right party, the Union pour un Mouvement Populaire called for a high-level investigation of the "surreal" and "utterly disproportionate" treatment of the senior journalist.
The incident is embarrassing for President Sarkozy who recently inaugurated discussions and investigations on the financial and political status of the press in France. Opposition politicians said that the incident, especially the use of the word racaille, suggested some French police officers felt that, with M. Sarkozy in power, they could get away with almost anything.
PARIS 2e: SARKOBAMA
On the night between November 26th and 27th, some mysterious group pasted numerous hundreds of posters in some streets of Paris, depicting the colorful face of Sarkozy in the now mythical Obama campaign style. The posters have different slogans ranging from "Producing a clean ecological source of energy" to "Create one million fixed jobs", followed by a big "Yes we can!"
Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
That would have been a 90s Batman movie by Joel Schumacher, to wit.
French Identity in the Obama Era Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.
I am still waiting for someone to write a diary about race here... Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
"When will Ireland elect a black President"?
<goggle> "Do you know how many ways the assumptions behind that question are broken??"
"RACIST!"
It's a subject that is IMPOSSIBLE to discuss without people getting offended, but I've decided NOT discussing it can't be the answer. Actually, I've very little concept of the situation in Europe. Everyone has a different view of things.
Signed, White girl who is dating black boy and suddenly realizing it's all messier than I was led to believe by my comfortable liberal progressive open-minded self-congratulatory world-view... Come, my friends, 'Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
agree 100%. Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.
It's a subject that is IMPOSSIBLE to discuss without people getting offended
May we soon enter the 22nd century, where humans might have overcome that stupidity, at least if Uhura is right.
Der Amerikaner ist die Orchidee unter den MenschenVolker Pispers
That clip doesn't just talk about race, though. I was intrigued by what the one guy said about how many young French people are starting to see themselves more as European rather than as French.
I had heard this from many German students I met studying overseas, but not so much from other European countries.
Then again, this particular guy was half-French, half-Spanish, so he has a particular point of view. Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.
Anyway, answers, please, my French speaking co-Europeans...
(And, btw, if it has been put on a prud'hommes election placard as in that photo, it is illegal.) Un roi sans divertissement est un homme plein de misères
"Dieu se rit des hommes qui se plaignent des conséquences alors qu'ils en chérissent les causes" Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet
depicting the colorful face of Sarkozy in the now mythical Obama campaign style
I would like to say, anyone breathing who was ALSO alive TWENTY or FORTY and FIFTY or SIXTY YEARS AGO recognizes that the "style" is signature WARHOLE, a shoe designer. (I'm not certain one needs to be a "professional" curator or art conaisseur to see the obvious integrations of high and low.) And that WARHOLE truly innovated the GENRE of portraiture by DEFACING institutional norms of portraiture in much the same rude manner as Monet, Picasso, Delauney etc "innovated" the received wisdom (Murdoch Alert) of (commercial) art market, yes, pricing.
Let's not, please, get carried away by purportedly novel rumen of "revolution" speech. You've see the signs before. For godssakes, even I've pulled this scam to sell records. Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
Shepard Fairey - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fairey created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama's candidacy for President in 2008, including the "HOPE" portrait.[17] [18] [19] He then created an exclusive design for Rock the Vote. He sits on the advisory board of Reaching to Embrace the Arts, a not-for-profit organization that provides art supplies to disadvantaged schools and students.[20] On November 5, 2008, the city of Chicago posted street banners throughout the downtown Loop business district featuring Fairey's Obama "HOPE" portrait. The banners say "Congratulations Chicago's Own Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America." [21]
Fairey created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama's candidacy for President in 2008, including the "HOPE" portrait.[17] [18] [19] He then created an exclusive design for Rock the Vote. He sits on the advisory board of Reaching to Embrace the Arts, a not-for-profit organization that provides art supplies to disadvantaged schools and students.[20]
On November 5, 2008, the city of Chicago posted street banners throughout the downtown Loop business district featuring Fairey's Obama "HOPE" portrait. The banners say "Congratulations Chicago's Own Barack Obama, President-Elect of the United States of America." [21]
A first print run of 350 was sold out within minutes for $ 45 a piece, and, much to Fairey's annoyance, resold on ebay for a lot more. Wall Street Journal began to track the ebay prices, they quickly shot up to $ 3'000, and reached $ 10'000 in June. In July, a mixed media painting done by Fairey in the same style as his "Hope" poster, sold for $ 108'000.
Just don't get me started on the mechanics of "art production" .... aw, geeze ... migraine coming on though I just got out of bed ... Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
I just wanted to say, bravo and thank you for posting those pictures. I'm intrigued by the Sarko phenomenon...he likes to portray himself as a phenomenon. As a Black woman who experienced overt racism in Paris, I know that tensions can run hot. But I know it is not everyone. I also know that Sarkozy is trying to do a lot, and I hope his vision affects the world positively. I'll keep following your blog too."
I think she is trying to be positive and polite about this stunt, but senses that something is amiss here. Truth unfolds in time through a communal process.
Leading European socialists and Social Democrats met in Madrid on Monday to discuss the first common program for the group in European elections and to advocate for greater government intervention in the economy. The ongoing economic crisis demonstrated the failure of the "economy of egoism" advocated by conservative parties, Spanish Socialist Party deputy leader Jose Blanco told the council of the Party of European Socialists in Madrid. Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Jose Blanco said the failure of the "economy of egoism" meant a win for socialists in 2009 Some 30 leading politicians, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and recently elected French Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry, were to discuss the first common program of socialists and Social Democrats for European elections. The socialists would win the 2009 elections, because citizens had understood that "governments are the solution," Blanco said.
The ongoing economic crisis demonstrated the failure of the "economy of egoism" advocated by conservative parties, Spanish Socialist Party deputy leader Jose Blanco told the council of the Party of European Socialists in Madrid.
Bildunterschrift: Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: Jose Blanco said the failure of the "economy of egoism" meant a win for socialists in 2009
Some 30 leading politicians, including Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and recently elected French Socialist Party leader Martine Aubry, were to discuss the first common program of socialists and Social Democrats for European elections.
The socialists would win the 2009 elections, because citizens had understood that "governments are the solution," Blanco said.
"governments are the solution," Blanco said.
words to warm the libertarian heart!
anyone else think this statement is a little over the top? government can help solve problems, (as they sure have a hand in helping create them...)
there aren't many libertarians in yurp, methinks.
this guy sounds like he wants too much power. ~Government budget deficits are not nearly as dangerous as the deficits we have created in vital and complex natural systems.~ Naomi Klein.
The issue I have is that neo-liberalism seems to abdicate responsibility for the climate to business as well, which really is putting the lunatics in control of the asylum. keep to the Fen Causeway
German Chancellor Angela Merkel affirmed her opposition to quickly admitting Ukraine and Georgia to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) through a spokesman on Monday. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a political rival who is running for the chancellorship next year, had last week also firmly rejected a US proposal to admit them quickly. In Berlin, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said Merkel was "seamlessly" in agreement with Steinmeier on the matter. Neither candidate nation would fulfill the criteria for NATO entry in the foreseeable future, he said. The question is on the agenda when NATO foreign ministers meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels.
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a political rival who is running for the chancellorship next year, had last week also firmly rejected a US proposal to admit them quickly.
In Berlin, deputy government spokesman Thomas Steg said Merkel was "seamlessly" in agreement with Steinmeier on the matter. Neither candidate nation would fulfill the criteria for NATO entry in the foreseeable future, he said.
The question is on the agenda when NATO foreign ministers meet Tuesday and Wednesday in Brussels.
Ukraine is moving to soothe relations with Russia as Nato loses interest in offering rapid membership of the alliance. The reappraisal comes amid debate in Kiev about the wisdom of antagonising the Kremlin, particularly after the confrontation between Russia and Georgia in the summer. President Yushchenko of Ukraine has ordered a policy review in an effort to defuse tensions with Russia over his country's pro-Western leanings. The shift is an acknowledgement that friction between Kiev and Moscow has made it harder for the European Union and Nato, particularly members such as Germany and France, to embrace Ukraine. "The majority of Ukrainians understand that strain and antagonism on our eastern border hinder the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of our country," Oleg Voloshin, a spokesman at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, said. "Now Kiev is disposed to intensify its dialogue with Russia to relieve her concerns over some priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy."
Ukraine is moving to soothe relations with Russia as Nato loses interest in offering rapid membership of the alliance.
The reappraisal comes amid debate in Kiev about the wisdom of antagonising the Kremlin, particularly after the confrontation between Russia and Georgia in the summer.
President Yushchenko of Ukraine has ordered a policy review in an effort to defuse tensions with Russia over his country's pro-Western leanings. The shift is an acknowledgement that friction between Kiev and Moscow has made it harder for the European Union and Nato, particularly members such as Germany and France, to embrace Ukraine.
"The majority of Ukrainians understand that strain and antagonism on our eastern border hinder the European and Euro-Atlantic integration of our country," Oleg Voloshin, a spokesman at the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow, said. "Now Kiev is disposed to intensify its dialogue with Russia to relieve her concerns over some priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy."
MOSCOW: In the heat of the Georgia crisis in August, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany flew to Russia to warn about the consequences of renewed militarism. Two days later she was in Georgia, voicing support for the country's eventual entry into NATO. Autumn crept in and passions cooled. The beginning of October found Merkel back in Russia, looking on as the German utility E.ON and the Russian state energy giant Gazprom signed a significant deal in St. Petersburg, giving the German firm a stake in the enormous Yuzhno-Russkoye natural gas field in Siberia. Merkel's shifting focus served as a reminder of the pivotal role played by Germany in shaping the West's relationship with Russia. It is Russia's largest trading partner, Europe's single biggest economy and one of America's closest allies. Moscow's aggressive posture has not only thrust Russia, a nuclear-armed energy power, back to the geopolitical spotlight. It has also dragged Germany there with it. Just as the United States is struggling to redefine its relationship with a resurgent and at times antagonistic government in Moscow, Germany is scrambling to protect the close commercial, cultural and diplomatic ties with Russia it has forged since the end of the cold war -- and, in some areas, long before.
MOSCOW: In the heat of the Georgia crisis in August, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany flew to Russia to warn about the consequences of renewed militarism. Two days later she was in Georgia, voicing support for the country's eventual entry into NATO.
Autumn crept in and passions cooled. The beginning of October found Merkel back in Russia, looking on as the German utility E.ON and the Russian state energy giant Gazprom signed a significant deal in St. Petersburg, giving the German firm a stake in the enormous Yuzhno-Russkoye natural gas field in Siberia.
Merkel's shifting focus served as a reminder of the pivotal role played by Germany in shaping the West's relationship with Russia. It is Russia's largest trading partner, Europe's single biggest economy and one of America's closest allies. Moscow's aggressive posture has not only thrust Russia, a nuclear-armed energy power, back to the geopolitical spotlight. It has also dragged Germany there with it.
Just as the United States is struggling to redefine its relationship with a resurgent and at times antagonistic government in Moscow, Germany is scrambling to protect the close commercial, cultural and diplomatic ties with Russia it has forged since the end of the cold war -- and, in some areas, long before.
As the UN climate talks (COP 14) in Poznań begin, the negotiations on the EU's climate andenergy package aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% have moved to a higher gear. Despite intense negotiations between the Commission, European Parliament and Council, there is little chance of having the package fully approved this year1. This article looks at some of the key strategies being deployed by business to weaken and delay the climate and energy package, which was originally put forward by the Commission in January 2007.
The coroner at the inquest of Jean Charles de Menezes today ruled out a verdict of unlawful killing. Former High Court judge, Sir Michael Wright, began summing up seven weeks of evidence by telling jurors they will only be allowed to return a verdict of lawful killing or an open verdict.
Former High Court judge, Sir Michael Wright, began summing up seven weeks of evidence by telling jurors they will only be allowed to return a verdict of lawful killing or an open verdict.
Why don't they have the coroner submit the verdict, sentence and implementation all by himself?
Seriously, they CANNOT state that it was unlawful killing? Or was he just applying very strong pressure on the jury? "Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. - Galbraith"
